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Chlorophyll Distribution (2011)


Chlorophyll-a distribution in waters off the Korean peninsula as seen by the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) in May 2011. In 2016, KORUS-OC scientists seek to better understand the role that phytoplankton play in ocean processes.
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[13-May-11] Chlorophyll-a distribution in waters off the Korean peninsula as seen by the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager in May 2011. Greens and yellows indicate higher chlorophyll concentrations. Land areas are shown in brown and clouds are depicted in gray.

For the KORUS-OC Study, scientists are seeking to better understand how oxygen and carbon flow between the ocean and atmosphere; the role that phytoplankton play in these processes; and what affects air quality in the region. They are investigating how different species of phytoplankton absorb different wavelengths of light and how blooms evolve at different times of day. These data will help NASA optimize instrument capabilities as they develop sensors for future ocean color missions, such as the Geostationary Coastal and Air Pollution Events (GEO-CAPE) satellite.