Question
Why are there so many songs about rainbows? For NASA's upcoming Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem mission, or PACE, the colors of the rainbow — or. if you prefer, the visible wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum — are the key to unlocking a wealth of new data on skies and seas around the world
PACE's high-resolution instruments will see ocean and atmosphere features in unparalleled detail when the mission launches in 2023. By measuring the intensity of the color that exits Earth's ocean surface, PACE will capture fine details about phytoplankton - tiny plantlike organisms and algae that live in the ocean - that are the basis of the marine food web and generate half of Earth's oxygen. Beneficial phytoplankton communities fuel fisheries, but harmful algal blooms (HABS) can poison animals and humans and disrupt tourism and fishing industries.
Understanding phytoplankton health can help predict harmful algal blooms, or HABS.
When substances from land wash into the ocean, they sometimes become a feast for algae, allowing them to eat, grow and multiply rapidly. HABs can generate harmful toxins that sicken marine wildlife and humans and deplete oxygen in the water as bacteria feed on numerous dead algae. "Harmful algal blooms are not recent. We have writings from indigenous tribes in the Pacific Northwest that talk about things happening on the beach," said Cetinic. "It's just that today we're looking for it more, and also anthropogenic influences are making blooms more prevalent.*
While naturally occurring minerals can run into the ocean and feed algae, chemicals produced by humans - lawn fertilizer, wastewater treatment chemicals and agricultural chemicals, for example - are a much greater culprit. Use this excerpt from the "A Walk Through the Rainbow with PACE" article to answer the question.
Based on the information in the article, make a logical inference about the significance of PACE and its study of phytoplankton populations. In 3-5 sentences, provide specific evidence from the text to support your inference and explain why your reasoning is logical and valid.
PACE's high-resolution instruments will see ocean and atmosphere features in unparalleled detail when the mission launches in 2023. By measuring the intensity of the color that exits Earth's ocean surface, PACE will capture fine details about phytoplankton - tiny plantlike organisms and algae that live in the ocean - that are the basis of the marine food web and generate half of Earth's oxygen. Beneficial phytoplankton communities fuel fisheries, but harmful algal blooms (HABS) can poison animals and humans and disrupt tourism and fishing industries.
Understanding phytoplankton health can help predict harmful algal blooms, or HABS.
When substances from land wash into the ocean, they sometimes become a feast for algae, allowing them to eat, grow and multiply rapidly. HABs can generate harmful toxins that sicken marine wildlife and humans and deplete oxygen in the water as bacteria feed on numerous dead algae. "Harmful algal blooms are not recent. We have writings from indigenous tribes in the Pacific Northwest that talk about things happening on the beach," said Cetinic. "It's just that today we're looking for it more, and also anthropogenic influences are making blooms more prevalent.*
While naturally occurring minerals can run into the ocean and feed algae, chemicals produced by humans - lawn fertilizer, wastewater treatment chemicals and agricultural chemicals, for example - are a much greater culprit. Use this excerpt from the "A Walk Through the Rainbow with PACE" article to answer the question.
Based on the information in the article, make a logical inference about the significance of PACE and its study of phytoplankton populations. In 3-5 sentences, provide specific evidence from the text to support your inference and explain why your reasoning is logical and valid.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Based on the information in the article, a logical inference about the significance of PACE is that the mission plays a crucial role in monitoring and managing ocean health, particularly in relation to phytoplankton populations. PACE’s ability to measure the intensity of visible wavelengths exiting the ocean surface will provide detailed insights into the health of phytoplankton communities, which are essential for the marine food web and contribute significantly to Earth's oxygen production. The text states, "Understanding phytoplankton health can help predict harmful algal blooms, or HABS," indicating that by studying these organisms, PACE can help mitigate the risks associated with HABS, which can negatively impact marine wildlife and human health. Additionally, the article highlights that human activities contribute to the frequency of these blooms, suggesting that PACE's research could inform better management practices aimed at reducing anthropogenic influences on marine ecosystems. This reasoning is logical and valid because it connects the mission’s technological capabilities with critical environmental issues affecting both ecosystems and human communities.