Scientists have long puzzled over a gleaming turquoise spot in the Antarctic Ocean, appearing in satellite images since the early 2000s. The patch was thought too cold to support tiny marine organisms called coccolithophores, which require specific conditions to thrive.
However, a new study published in Global Biogeochemical Cycles reveals that coccolithophores do survive in the frigid waters where no one thought they could live – albeit in smaller numbers. Researchers found moderate concentrations of these organisms and their shells at depths as low as 60°S south of the great calcite belt.
The discovery sheds light on how ocean carbon cycles function and has significant implications for climate change mitigation. Coccolithophores are a critical sink for atmospheric carbon, and understanding their patterns can help scientists develop strategies to combat global warming.
By collecting data from multiple depths using research vessels, scientists gained a more complete picture of the mysterious turquoise spot and its inhabitants. The findings demonstrate that satellite images often cannot capture the full complexity of ocean ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of hands-on research in understanding our planet’s most vital systems.
Source: https://futurism.com/strange-glow-ocean-plankton-explanation