A rare, mostly cloud-free view opens over Baffin Bay, revealing a phytoplankton bloom swirling in the northwest reaches of these Arctic waters. Clear skies are uncommon in this region, where persistent cloud cover often obscures the bay from satellite view, making this an especially valuable look at the productivity unfolding below. Nutrients delivered by melting sea ice and coastal runoff help fuel these summer blooms, supporting a food web that includes Arctic cod, seabirds, and marine mammals that gather in Baffin Bay's nutrient-rich waters. Moments of clarity like this give scientists a rare, detailed look at how life responds to the region's rapidly changing ice and ocean conditions.
This image was captured by the PACE-OCI sensor on August 5, 2026.
- Wikipedia - Baffin Bay: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baffin_Bay
- Wikipedia - Algal bloom: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algal_bloom
- Wikipedia - Arctic cod: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_cod
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