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Another important part of our trip is to learn more about the underwater life found in this part of the world. Like other parts of the world, there are both plant and animal life forms, grazers and hunters, predators and prey here in the sea.

Phytoplankton, or microscopic oceanic plants, are at the very foundation of the food chain. Phytoplankton live near the surface of the sea where they can find enough sunlight to grow. They give the water the greenish color you see in shallow areas. The ocean's color can be strongly affected by phytoplankton and can be measured from satellites. Scientists use these ocean color measurements to estimate the amount of phytoplankton present in the water.

The measurement of ocean color is an important part of understanding how oceanic plants affect the rest of Earth's biosphere. Link to the SeaWiFS Project at Goddard Space Flight Center to find out more about ocean color.

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