COSEE Ocean Systems: News
Researchers track effects of changing ocean temperature on phytoplankton
Description: Changes in ocean temperature affect a key species of phytoplankton, according to a new journal paper. The study tracked levels of Synechococcus -- a tiny bacterium common in marine ecosystems -- near the coast of Massachusetts over a 13-year period. As ocean temperatures increased during the study period, annual blooms of Synechococcus occurred up to four weeks earlier, because cells divide faster in warmer waters. Such shifts could have major effects on marine ecosystems worldwide. [Source: National Science Foundation]
URL: https://nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=190021&org=NSF&from=news
Availability: Full Text
Source: National Science Foundation
Publish Date: 10/20/2016
Reading Level: Basic
Page Length:  

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