Story perspectives

Unexpected Coccolithophores Discovered in Southern Ocean’s Cold Waters

8/22/2025

26 6

Summary

Story summary

Oceanographers identified a turquoise patch in the Southern Ocean, previously deemed too cold for coccolithophores.
Research on the vessel Roger Revelle showed unexpected calcification and coccolithophore presence beyond the great calcite belt.
Diatoms, rather than coccolithophores, contributed to high reflectance in satellite imagery, indicating a need to reevaluate organic carbon measurements.
Findings were published in Global Biogeochemical Cycles.

1 of 1

Story summary

Oceanographers identified a turquoise patch in the Southern Ocean, previously deemed too cold for coccolithophores.
Research on the vessel Roger Revelle showed unexpected calcification and coccolithophore presence beyond the great calcite belt.
Diatoms, rather than coccolithophores, contributed to high reflectance in satellite imagery, indicating a need to reevaluate organic carbon measurements.
Findings were published in Global Biogeochemical Cycles.