NASA: National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationEarth Observatory

Phytoplankton off the Coast of Portugal

Posted May 1, 2002
Phytoplankton off the Coast of Portugal
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A large phytoplankton bloom off of the coast of Portugal can be seen in this true-color image taken on April 23, 2002, by the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA’s Terra satellite. The bloom is roughly half the size of Portugal and forms a bluish-green cloud in the water. The red spots in northwest Spain denote what are likely small agricultural fires.

Image courtesy Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC

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