Phytoplankton Bloom Off Ireland

June 2, 2006, the MODIS on the Aqua satellite captured this unique image of a phytoplankton bloom off the coat of Ireland. Swirls of phytoplankton, microscopic plants that grow in sunlit ocean surface waters, color the ocean brilliant blues and greens. The ocean normally appears black in true-color, photo-like satellite imagery. England appears to the east of Ireland. Towards the south of England, there appear to be smaller phytoplankton blooms near the coastline!

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Jeff Schmaltz

Published June 7, 2006
Data acquired June 2, 2006

Source:

Aqua > MODIS

Collection:

MODIS Image of the Day