Phytoplankton, Chukchi Sea, Alaska, USA

© Norman Kuring/Kathryn Hansen/U.S. Geological Survey/NAS

Phytoplankton

Hundreds of shades of blue are marbled together in today’s image. No, it's not a work of modern art, it's a perfect example of the beauty and complexity of nature. This is a satellite photo of phytoplankton blooming near Alaska in the United States as the cool, salty Chukchi Sea mingles with warmer, fresher water closer to shore.

Phytoplankton are microscopic sun-powered organisms that float near the surface of the ocean, drifting with the currents. In fact, their name derives from the Greek “phyton” for plant and “planktos” for wanderer or drifter. De…..