NASA's PACE satellite captured the Black Sea turning turquoise in June 2026, caused by massive blooms of coccolithophores. These tiny plankton are covered in reflective calcium carbonate plates that turn the water a milky turquoise when they gather near the surface. The seasonal event helps scientists track biological activity and understand the carbon cycle, as coccolithophores play a role in moving carbon from the surface to deeper waters and the seafloor. The article explains how satellite observations allow researchers to monitor blooms across large areas that are difficult to sample from ships. Long-term data from PACE and the ISS can reveal changes in bloom timing, size, and location, which may indicate shifts in water conditions and marine ecosystem health. This is relevant for anyone tracking ocean carbon dynamics and climate feedback loops. For carbon market and climate professionals, this is a concrete example of how satellite technology supports carbon cycle research. The ability to track phytoplankton activity from space improves our understanding of natural carbon sinks and could inform future carbon accounting or blue carbon projects.
