Average chlorophyll concentration in the surface ocean (from mi-September 1997 to August 2007) from the ocean color sensor SeaWiFS (NASA). Subtropical gyres, in the center of the oceanic basins, are characterized by very low concentrations of chlorophyll a (dark blue) - Source : NASA's Earth Observatory (http:/earthobservatory.nasa.gov)
Rosette used to collect seawater samples during a scientific cruise in the South Pacific Ocean. During the austral summer, the amount of chlorophyll a is so low that the water becomes deep blue, almost purple. (Photo : Joséphine Ras)
Acantharia (Photo : Fabien Lombard)
Gelatinous plankton Pelagia and Ctenophores (Photo : Fabien Lombard)
Instrumented buoy (Photo : Emilie Diamond)
Ctenaria Beroe ovata (Photo : Fabien Lombard)
Crab larva (Photo : Fabien Lombard)
Annelid worm (Photo : Fabien Lombard)
Siphonophores - The longest animals on the planet
Cousins of corals, siphonophores are colonies of specialized individuals called zoids. Some catch and digest their prey, others swim, or lay eggs or sperm.
Embryos and larvae
Drifting in the currents, embryos and larvae perpetuate the species and are food for multitudes.
Carte bathymétrique mondiale
Larva of decapod crustacean (Photo : Fabien Lombard)
Mollusk (Photo : Fabien Lombard)
Dinoflagellate Ceratium pentagonum var robustum (Photo : Sophie Marro)
Villefranche-sur-Mer in stormy weather, winter 2011 - Photo : J.-M. Grisoni
Instrumented buoy (Photo : Emilie Diamond)
Instrumented buoy (Photo : David Luquet)
Pelagia - Fearsome Jellyfish
Mauve jellies move in droves, their nasty stings feared by swimmers.
