According to a study, more than half of the ocean is green and no longer blue. The scientists’ theory assumes that manmade climate change is responsible
In a report published in Nature last Wednesday (12), researchers revealed that 56% of the ocean has changed color from green to blue. The theory behind the article states that humancaused climate change is to blame.
Photo: Christoffer Engstrom/Unsplash/Canaltech
As the study shows, color change is widespread in tropical oceans near the equator. This suggests that something has changed in the ecosystems beneath the waves, as the color of the ocean is a reflection of the flora and fauna in the water.
The team is still not sure what actually caused this change, but notes that over the past 20 years surface ocean ecosystems have become greener, even at lower latitudes.
To analyze the color of the ocean, the group used a mediumresolution imaging spectroradiometer, a method that can make measurements at seven visible wavelengths, including two wavelengths associated with measuring chlorophyll (the compound that makes plants and algae green and also found in phytoplankton) ).
Why did the ocean change color?
By tracking changes in chlorophyll and analyzing changes from year to year, the team was able to identify what was natural variation in ocean color and what could be considered above average. Previous projects had announced that more than 50% of the world’s oceans would change color over a 20year period.
56% of the ocean has been changed color by humans (Image: Ant Rozetsky/Unsplash)
Photo: Canaltech
“The color of the oceans has changed and we cannot say how. But we can say that the color changes reflect changes in plankton communities that affect everything that eats plankton. It also needs to change the amount of carbon that the ocean will absorb because different types of plankton have different abilities to do so, so we’re hoping people take this seriously.”
What do we know about the ocean?
Do you know what’s at the bottom of the sea? It’s such a big question that scientists are still discovering new information about the ocean every day. It is estimated that more than 80% of the oceans are still unexplored today. This is a very large area about 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water.
Previously was the Canaltech collected everything we already know about the seabed. For example, it is now known that the oceans are responsible for absorbing about 90% of the heat our planet retains from the sun.
We have also already highlighted the difference between sea and ocean: both seas and oceans have different formats and profiles defined by geographical location, acidity and salinity of the water, but one of the main characteristics that distinguishes a sea from an ocean differ is its extension.
Source: Nature, Global Change MIT
Trending on Canaltech:
+The best content in your email for free. Choose your preferred Terra newsletter. Click here!