Plankton create clouds that regulate the climate for the Earth

A new study has shown how marine plankton affects the process of creating clouds and regulating the climate on the Earth's surface.

Plankton creates clouds that cool the Earth

Newsquench yesterday reported that recent research has revealed the importance of small plankton , the scientific name is phytoplankton. They contribute to creating half of the water crystals in clouds covering the South Ocean, the waters surrounding Antarctica, in the summer.

Image under a microscope of plankton in the South Ocean.(Photo: Trinity News Daily.)

By absorbing the sun, the plankton produces a chemical compound called dimethyl sulfite. After exposure to the atmosphere, the compound turns into a sulfate form, combining with water crystals and condensing to form clouds.

Using highly sensitive satellite imaging equipment, scientists found that the number of water crystals doubled in the summer when the water was warmer and the plankton became more abundant. The thicker crystal water density makes the clouds brighter, reflecting most of the sun's radiation, thereby reducing the temperature on Earth.