Satellite images have confirmed that the world’s oceans have become slightly greener. Scientists suspect climate change is the reason.
Satellite images have confirmed that the world’s oceans have become slightly greener. Scientists suspect climate change is the reason.
In a recent study published in Nature, researchers in the United Kingdom and the United States found that nearly 60 percent of the Earth’s ocean surface has undergone a significant change in color, especially in the lower latitudes, over the past 20 years.
Many of the areas with new hues align with areas of increased chlorophyll production — indicating phytoplankton abundance and activity in near-surface waters. That correlation suggests that ocean ecosystems are already feeling the impacts of a changing climate. But the comparison is not perfect.
Read more at Yale Environment 360
Image: Green shading represents areas where ocean surface color has significantly changed. Black dots represent areas with a change in chlorophyll levels. (Credit: NASA)
