2023 Was Hottest Year On Record | The NASA Satellite Studying Plankton

Tracking Plankton

NASA's PACE satellite is revolutionizing our understanding of plankton and their critical role in Earth's ecosystems. Ivona Cetinic, the science lead for ocean biogeochemistry, highlights that plankton are essential for carbon dioxide absorption and oxygen production, contributing significantly to the planet's climate balance 1. These microscopic organisms, though invisible to the naked eye, are vital for sustaining marine life and, by extension, human life. Cetinic shares her enthusiasm for the mission, stating,

Without that first oxygen, nothing else would evolve. But if I would take away plankton now, oceans would die, climate would change, we would not have anything to eat.

--- Ivona Cetinic

The PACE satellite's advanced technology allows scientists to monitor these "tiny titans" from space, offering insights into their distribution and impact on global ecosystems 2.

   

Aerosol Studies

The PACE satellite also focuses on aerosols, which are crucial for understanding air quality and climate interactions. Ivona Cetinic explains that aerosols, including dust and smoke particles, play a significant role in atmospheric processes and can influence climate models 3. By studying the interactions between aerosols and clouds, PACE aims to reduce uncertainties in climate predictions and improve our ability to forecast environmental changes. Cetinic

Understanding how aerosols form clouds and how clouds interact with the aerosols...is going to allow us to understand better that interaction, put it in our models, be able to predict the impacts of the climate in future in a better way.

--- Ivona Cetinic

This research is vital for developing strategies to mitigate climate change and enhance air quality worldwide.