The coloration of the ocean from its typical blue to blue-green traces its cause to a huge number of algae cells in the water, which collectively absorb much more carbon dioxide than all land plants on Earth.
As a result, these one-celled plants have an enormous impact on climate, which is studied by measuring the color of the ocean with satellites and sea-based sensors such as Marine Optical Buoys (MOBY), according to a Department of Commerce news release from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
“MOBY measures how much light over a range of wavelengths is being scattered out of the water at a single location in the Pacific Ocean. The ocean-color satellite sensors observe the oceans, including the MOBY site,” NIST research scientist Carol Johnson said, according to the release. "The MOBY data then are delivered to the satellite teams, which use the data to adjust the satellite sensors’ calibration, thus improving the accuracy of the global data products such as the concentration of chlorophyll."
Measurements of the ocean’s color are recorded by satellites. To ensure the accuracy of these measurements, researchers in the U.S. and many other nations use ocean-color MOBY sensors, the release reported. NOAA and other technological institutes have collaborated on an upgrade to the sensor, known as MOBY-Refresh. The upgrade will allow the sensor to more accurately measure the light coming from the sun and the ocean.
According to the release, the optical buoy’s life cycle is around four months, and there are two complete systems. As one buoy is recovered for refurbishment, a new one is deployed to collect data.
