In the absence of any known samples being evaluated, it is assumed that it is a coccolithophore blossom– a kind of tiny marine algae living in the upper layer of the sea. Like all phytoplankton, coccolithophores contain chlorophyll and have the propensity to increase rapidly near the surface.
In large numbers, coccolithophores regularly shed their small scales called coccoliths into the surrounding waters. These calcium-rich coccoliths turn the generally dark water a brilliant, milky-turquoise color. Invisible to the eye, in large amounts, they are simple to find in satellite images. These kinds of algae play a huge role in the ocean uptake of climatic co2, as their shells sink to deeper ocean depths after they die, storing carbon while doing so.
This years edition of the United Nations climate change conference– COP26– is taking location in Scotland from October 31 to November 12. The summit aims to inspire faster and more enthusiastic action from the worldwide community to attain the objective of restricting worldwide temperature level increase to 1.5 ° C. As in previous years, ESA has a strong presence at COP26, showcasing how satellite data reinforces our understanding of climate from space.
The Shetland Islands, an archipelago in the Northern Isles of Scotland, are featured in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image. Credit: Contains customized Copernicus Sentinel information (2021 ), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
The Shetland Islands, an island chain in the Northern Isles of Scotland, are featured in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image.
Lying approximately 100 km north of the Scottish mainland, the Shetland Islands separate the Atlantic Ocean on the west from the North Sea to the east. The island chain makes up around 100 islands and islets, with less than 20 of them lived in. The islands cover a location of around 1468 sq km and have a rugged shoreline roughly 2700 sq km long.
The largest island, known as the Mainland, has a location of around 900 sq km, making it the third-largest Scottish island. The next biggest are Yell, Unst, and Fetlar, which lie in the north, in addition to Bressay and Whalsay, which lie to the east. Lerwick, located on Mainland, is the capital and largest settlement of the island chain.
The most striking feature in this weeks image, caught on 1 July 2021, is the vibrant, turquoise-colored bloom noticeable to the east of the islands. This kind of flower is slightly different from the hazardous cyanobacteria frequently noticeable around the Baltic Sea.
Lying roughly 100 km north of the Scottish mainland, the Shetland Islands separate the Atlantic Ocean on the west from the North Sea to the east. The archipelago comprises around 100 islands and islets, with fewer than 20 of them occupied. The largest island, understood as the Mainland, has an area of around 900 sq km, making it the third-largest Scottish island.