Weather & Science
Algae Blooms Visible From Space Increased as Climate Warmed
An analysis of about 760,000 satellite images over 17 years shows these events are becoming bigger and more frequent.
Intensifying phytoplankton blooms in coastal oceans.
Credit: Image courtesy of Lian Feng
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Algal blooms in coastal areas increased in size and frequency during the first two decades of this century as the world’s oceans warmed, according to an analysis of about 760,000 satellite images.
Phytoplankton blooms are accumulations of microscopic algae that form characteristic fluorescent swirls on the surface of oceans, rivers and lakes that, when large enough, can be seen from space.