Coccolithophore blooms

Coccolithophore blooms are rapid increases in populations of tiny, single-celled marine algae called coccolithophores. These microorganisms are covered with calcium carbonate plates, which give the water a milky or whitish appearance during blooms. They thrive in nutrient-rich, warm, and sunlit waters, primarily in the oceans. When they bloom, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and ocean, playing a role in climate regulation. These blooms can affect marine ecosystems, ocean chemistry, and are often detectable via satellite imagery due to their distinctive appearance.