NASA Satellite Detects Red Glow to Map Global Ocean Plant Health

Researchers have conducted the first global analysis of the health and productivity of ocean plants, as revealed by a unique signal detected by a NASA satellite.
Ocean scientists can now remotely measure the amount of fluorescent red light emitted by phytoplankton and assess how efficiently these microscopic plants are turning sunlight and nutrients into food through photosynthesis.
Researchers can also study how changes in the global environment alter these processes at the center of the ocean food web.