NASA, in a critical effort, has launched the PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem) satellite observatory, aimed at revealing the secrets of two tiny but fundamental elements for the Earth: aerosols and phytoplankton. These small actors play a crucial role in climate dynamics and ecological balance.
Phytoplankton and aerosol exploration
Phytoplankton, microscopic marine organisms, form the base of the food chain and contribute significantly to carbon sequestration. On the other hand, aerosols, particles in the atmosphere, impact solar energy and cloud formation, generating complexities not yet fully understood by climate models.
[post_relacionado]They are equipped with sensitive instruments capable of covering the entire electromagnetic spectrum, offering unprecedented views. Unlike conventional satellites, PACE can discern subtle color variations, making it possible to identify diverse phytoplankton species and assess their impact on the food chain and carbon cycle.
With the oceans absorbing 90% of the excess heat in the atmosphere, record sea temperatures and the rapid transformation of the oceans, understanding phytoplankton communities is essential. PACE will detect changes in these communities, influenced by factors such as water temperature, affecting the entire food chain.
PACE and the impact on climate change
The observatory will also explore aerosols, which are crucial to understanding climate change. These can have cooling or heating effects depending on their composition. Understanding how they interact with clouds and other atmospheric elements will provide valuable information to address uncertainties in climate models.
PACE will not only reveal secrets, but will provide real-time information. In the face of rapidly changing oceans and the urgency of addressing climate change. This observatory emerges as a crucial tool for anticipating and understanding complex planetary dynamics in the future.
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Source: wired.com