"Oceanic Transformation: Climate Change's Vibrant Impact"
The color of the ocean surface is changing due to climate change, indicating shifts in the ecosystem beneath. Researchers have found that 56% of the global sea surface has experienced a significant change in color, with the ocean turning more green. This change confirms a trend predicted by climate modeling and suggests alterations to global ocean ecosystems. The new method of analyzing ocean color data from satellite instruments has provided insights into long-term trends in just 20 years, compared to the previously estimated 30-40 years. The color changes are likely due to changes in plankton assemblages and increased stratification of surface waters caused by warming temperatures. NASA's upcoming PACE satellite will provide finer color resolution and more information about ocean ecology.