Why NASA is launching a mission to track the ocean's microscopic life
NASA scientist Ivona Cetinić explains the critical role of phytoplankton in Earth's systems. This video highlights why the upcoming PACE mission is dedicated to studying these tiny organisms and their massive impact on our planet's biogeochemistry.
Phytoplankton are microscopic marine organisms that play a fundamental role in ocean biogeochemistry. Despite their small size, they are essential to the health of global ecosystems, influencing everything from the carbon cycle to the atmosphere.
The PACE mission, which stands for Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem, is designed to observe these creatures in unprecedented detail. By studying the interactions between these organisms and their environment, scientists like Ivona Cetinić aim to better understand the complex processes that regulate our planet.
