On a NASA-sponsored expedition in the Arctic Ocean, scientists discovered phytoplankton-rich water flourishing beneath three feet of ice. Phytoplankton are microscopic plant-like organisms essential to all sea life. According to NASA, this area of water is richer in marine plants than any other ocean region on the planet. Paula Bontempi, NASA’s ocean biology and biogeochemistry program manager in Washington, likened the discovery to “finding the Amazon rainforest in the middle of the Mojave Desert.”
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=156886