NASA's New TROPOMI Tool Revolutionizes Algal Bloom Tracking

NASA's TROPOMI instrument, designed to measure air pollution, has demonstrated its ability to detect harmful algal blooms by capturing the faint red glow emitted by the algae responsible for these blooms. TROPOMI's advanced imaging capabilities allow it to penetrate thin cloud cover and gather twice as much fluorescence information as previous methods relying on ocean color. This technology could help federal agencies and local communities better forecast and manage harmful outbreaks, protecting public health and coastal ecosystems. Additionally, upcoming satellite missions like NASA's PACE will further enhance our ability to monitor algal blooms and other factors affecting marine ecosystems.