The world’s oceans are losing their greenness due to global heating, signaling a worrying decline in phytoplankton, the microscopic organisms that drive nearly half of Earth’s biological productivity, according to a new study published in Nature.
The Ocean Is Losing Its Colour!
The world’s oceans are turning less green and scientists say this could mean our planet’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide is weakening.
A new study found that between 2001 and 2023, ocean greenness declined significantly due to a drop in… pic.twitter.com/C3bQRdaC7s
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Researchers analyzed daily chlorophyll levels from 2001 to 2023 using deep-learning algorithms and satellite data. They found that ocean greenness fell by 0.35 micrograms per cubic meter annually, with sharper declines near coasts and river estuaries. This drop indicates weakening oceanic ecosystems and a 0.088% yearly reduction in carbon sequestration, roughly 32 million tons less carbon absorbed each year.
Scientists say warmer surface waters caused by climate change are disrupting nutrient circulation, starving phytoplankton and reducing marine productivity. “We’re now seeing a measurable decline in the greenness of the oceans, a sign of weakened planetary health,” said Michael Mann of the University of Pennsylvania.
The study warns that this trend could threaten oxygen levels, food chains, and the ocean’s role as a carbon sink, making future emissions reduction even more challenging. Researchers urge stronger climate and pollution controls, including limits on fertilizer runoff, deforestation, and waste discharge, to slow the ocean’s ecological decline.
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