NASA's PACE satellite has captured a seasonal plankton bloom turning the Black Sea turquoise. The bloom is caused by coccolithophores, microscopic phytoplankton with calcium carbonate shells that scatter sunlight. These organisms absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, and when they die, some of that carbon sinks to the ocean floor where it can remain stored for long periods. This natural process is a form of biological carbon sequestration. While the visual effect is striking, the real significance is how marine ecosystems move carbon from the atmosphere into long-term storage. Understanding these blooms helps scientists track how ocean biology interacts with the global carbon cycle. The article notes that the bloom was also visible in the Bosphorus Strait and from the International Space Station. It's a reminder that carbon removal isnt just about engineered solutions, natural systems already do a lot of the work.
