In the last 20 years, 56% of the Earth’s oceans have changed color significantly, and these changes cannot be explained by natural causes. This is likely due to human activity and can disrupt food chains, according to a study published in the journal Nature.

Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology analyzed data from the Aqua satellite from 2002 to 2022. The device is able to distinguish color changes that the human eye cannot see.

Scientists have discovered that tropical oceans near the equator have become greener over the past two decades. This means that the content of phytoplankton, which are microscopic photosynthetic organisms in the water, is increased. They form the basis of food chains, so the survival of fish, seabirds and mammals depends on the well-being of phytoplankton. Changing the color of the oceans will also affect their ability to act as carbon sinks.

The paper’s authors used climate change models to find out what happens to the oceans during atmospheric pollution. The model showed that an increase in the proportion of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere could change the color of 50% of the oceans. While researchers are still working to determine exactly what these changes mean, they say it’s clear that the changes were human-induced.

“All changes cause an imbalance in the natural organization of ecosystems. This imbalance will only worsen over time if our oceans continue to warm.”scientists recorded.