What may be the smallest and most abundant organisms on earth. Microscopic phytoplankton are the base of the food chain on which much ocean life depends. Both processes are only partially understood, yet they each have farreaching effects on Ocean Systems and ultimately on the habitability of our planet for human life. Fertilized by the upwelling of a cold, nutrientrich current, the coastal waters of peru and ecuador bring an abundant and dependable harvest to the fishermen of south america. But, mysteriously, every few years, this cold current is replaced by warm waters severely depleting the fish population. This warmer current appearing usually around christmas time became known as el nino, or the christ child. But what the fishermen didnt know was that the local phenomenon they called el nino was, in fact an immense interaction between the vast Pacific Ocean and the atmosphere causing torrential rains drought, and famine across the globe. Mark cane, a scientist at columbias lamontd
Triggers el nino events affecting storm tracks, rainfall, and temperatures across the globe. On a quieter but no less important scale, the tropical oceans are teeming with what may be the smallest and most abundant organisms on earth. Microscopic phytoplankton are the base of the food chain on which much ocean life depends. Both processes are only partially understood, yet they each have farreaching effects on Ocean Systems and ultimately on the habitability of our planet for human life. Fertilized by the upwelling of a cold, nutrientrich current, the coastal waters of peru and ecuador bring an abundant and dependable harvest to the fishermen of south america. But, mysteriously, every few years, this cold current is replaced by warm waters, severely depleting the fish population. This warmer current appearing usually around christmas time became known as el nino, or the christ child. But what the fishermen didnt know was that the local phenomenon they called el nino was, in fact, an im
Understood, yet they each have farreaching effects on Ocean Systems and ultimately on the habitability of our planet for human life. Fertilized by the upwelling of a cold, nutrientrich current, the coastal waters of peru and ecuador bring an abundant and dependable harvest to the fishermen of south america. But, mysteriously, every few years, this cold current is replaced by warm waters severely depleting the fish population. This warmer current appearing usually around christmas time became known as el nino, or the christ child. But what the fishermen didnt know was that the local phenomenon they called el nino was, in fact an immense interaction between the vast Pacific Ocean and the atmosphere causing torrential rains drought, and famine across the globe. Mark cane, a scientist at columbias lamontdoherty earth observatory, has been studying el nino for over 30 years. Cane when you have an el nino event there are things that happen around the world. They dont always happen but they u