Earth from space: Ethereal algal vortex blooms at the heart of massive Baltic 'dead zone'

What's in the photo? A swirling mass of algae trapped in an ocean vortex.This striking green spiral emerged in the Baltic Sea during a massive algal bloom in 2018. While the swirling microbes have an ethereal beauty in the image, this belies an unseen danger they brought with them as they created a massive, toxic"dead zone."

The mass of microscopic creatures was trapped in a large vortex, or whirlpool, created by two opposing currents colliding. It is common for algae to be swept up by ocean currents, creating stunning seascapes when viewed from above. However, it is rare to see such a perfectly formed spiral. Between 2003 and 2020, the average size of algal blooms increased by 13% globally, a 2023 study showed.Although algal blooms can be visually stunning, they can also be extremely destructive. When algae amasses near the surface, it temporarily decreases the amount of oxygen in the waters below, potentially suffocating nearby marine creatures, which filter oxygen from the water to breathe, according to the Woods Holes Oceanographic Institution.

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Earth from space: Rare phenomenon transforms African thunderstorm into giant ethereal 'jellyfish'Harry is a U.K.-based senior staff writer at Live Science. He studied marine biology at the University of Exeter before training to become a journalist. He covers a wide range of topics including space exploration, planetary science, space weather, climate change, animal behavior, evolution and paleontology.
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