- Although these tiny creatures are among the smallest creatures in the ocean, their “flowers” can often be seen from the air.
- Phytoplankton are vital to the planet’s existence and contribute to the global atmosphere as producers of fresh air.
- The composition of phytoplankton blooms may change over time with ocean temperatures, scientists say.
- Phytoplankton can grow exponentially in days or weeks, according to NASA.
Small, plant-like creatures that look like the best in shallow water are back as spring in North America turns into a wet summer.
Sunshine and heat in the North Sea, between Scotland and Norway, have helped phytoplankton to life this month, choking seawater with thick cyanobacteria, blooming in one of nature’s “greatest surprises”, according to NOAA.
Bioluminescence, a chemical process commonly found in aquatic organisms, causes light to be emitted by living organisms. When these creatures are moved by the waves or a kayak or canoe, the light is reflected. Most aquatic and terrestrial organisms appear blue-green, but some terrestrial organisms, such as fireflies, worms, and even fungi, also glow yellow.
The surface may contain a type of phytoplankton called sparkle, according to the National Park Service, which causes the water to appear blue in satellite images, NASA said. However, without a physical sample, “it is not possible to say with certainty what type of phytoplankton is present in these images,” NASA Earth Observatory said on June 20.
Phytoplankton usually peaks in these areas around summer and is most abundant in the North Sea in late spring and early summer; while most nutrients are found in water – which comes from European rivers, seasonal storms and rain.
Views of the peak grew for about two weeks and became visible to NOAA-20 on June 15, NASA said.
“The shape of the flowers is similar to those made by The shining nightingale (which means nocturnal) – a type of marine dinoflagellate that is known to live in this area during the summer,” NASA said. The shining nightingale flowers can glow at night in beautiful ways, their presence can also release oxygen from the water and cause hypoxia and dead zones.”
Pictures show the bright light that phytoplankton can produce.
2023 Phytoplankton releases
When and where can I see bioluminescence?
According to the National Park Service, the best time to see bioluminescence is during the summer and falls on a dark, cloudy night before or after the moon rises. In the Gulf of Alaska, nutrient-rich waters are fertile for phytoplankton blooms, according to NASA.
Tomales Bay State Park in northern California, Vieques National Wildlife Refuge in Puerto Rico, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary in Washington and nearby Acadia National Park in Maine are just a few of the popular bodies of water to see bioluminescence in the United States.
These wonders can also be seen anywhere along the National Seashore, according to the National Park Service.
Phytoplankton blooms are changing
During a 21-year study, researchers in Norway found that phytoplankton blooms in the area begin at the end of the year and last for a long time. The cause of the delay is not clear, but researchers say that ocean temperatures may alter the appearance of phytoplankton blooms.
Between 2000 and 2020, blooms in the North Sea lasted, on average, 46 days, reaching mid to late April.
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