A tiny red plankton, Calanus finmarchicus, has become a crucial focus for NASA's satellite research, as it plays a vital role in the survival of endangered whales. These whales, known as North Atlantic right whales, are critically endangered, with a population of only around 370 individuals worldwide. That's a staggering number, considering it's fewer than the passengers on a single large jet!
Calanus finmarchicus, a rice-sized red crustacean, is a key component of the marine food web. It provides the dense fat reserves that power the long migrations of these majestic whales. Rebekah Shunmugapandi, a satellite oceanographer, led a team that has been studying this tiny creature's impact on the ecosystem.
In the Gulf of Maine, Calanus finmarchicus creates an abundant food source for whales, fish, and seabirds. Its presence or absence can have a significant impact on the entire food chain. Traditionally, scientists tracked this plankton using research boats, which was a slow and expensive process, covering only a small portion of the vast ocean.
But here's where it gets controversial: NASA's Aqua satellite, equipped with the MODIS sensor, has changed the game. By measuring the reflection of different wavelengths of sunlight from the ocean's surface, the satellite can detect the presence of Calanus finmarchicus when they swarm near the surface. The red pigment, astaxanthin, in these plankton alters the color of the water, which MODIS can pick up.
Shunmugapandi and her team processed MODIS data to create enhanced color maps, highlighting these unusual red patches. In one image, they estimated a concentration of around 150,000 Calanus finmarchicus per cubic meter in the Gulf of Maine. By comparing the color of each pixel to a library of simulated ocean colors, they could accurately estimate the presence of these tiny crustaceans.
This method was first tested in the Norwegian Sea, where large swarms of Calanus finmarchicus were visible in satellite images. These findings were further supported by research showing that large zooplankton swarms can alter ocean color on a regional scale. By combining satellite images with a Continuous Plankton Recorder, the team confirmed the presence of dense Calanus patches.
The significance of this research goes beyond just tracking plankton. Right whales follow the Calanus finmarchicus, as feeding in dense patches allows them to gain energy faster than they expend it. Ocean-wide maps of Calanus concentrations could help predict whale migration routes and feeding areas, reducing the risk of collisions with ships and entanglement in fishing gear, which are leading causes of right whale deaths.
NASA sees this work as a bridge between space technology and ocean conservation. It offers a unique way to support science, communities, and ecosystems using satellite data. With the aging MODIS sensor soon to be replaced by PACE, which measures over 280 colors of reflected light, the ability to distinguish between red zooplankton swarms and other phenomena like algal blooms will only improve.
This research highlights the importance of even the tiniest creatures in our ecosystem and the innovative ways technology can be used to protect and conserve our oceans and its inhabitants. What do you think about the potential impact of this research? Could it revolutionize how we approach ocean conservation and management?
