What specific biological indicator related to the marine food web is measured by ocean color instruments?
Answer
Chlorophyll concentration, indicating primary productivity.
Instruments carried on NASA's Earth Science satellites measure Ocean Color and Chemistry parameters. A key component of this measurement involves quantifying chlorophyll concentration. This specific measurement is crucial because chlorophyll levels are directly indicative of primary productivity—the rate at which marine phytoplankton create energy—which forms the fundamental base of the entire marine food web ecosystem. This data helps scientists understand the overall health and dynamics of surface ocean biology across vast areas.
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