Filaments of foam floating through the waters off Garabogazköl - Earth.com

Filaments of foam floating through the waters off Garabogazköl

Today’s Image of the Day comes thanks to the NASA Earth Observatory and features a look at filaments of foam floating through the waters off Garabogazköl.

The photo was captured by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on board the Landsat 8 satellite.

This foam phenomenon occurs when decaying pieces of aquatic plants, such as algae and phytoplankton, decompose and release oils and other substances known as surfactants. These particles rise to top of the water and lower the surface tension, which allows for bubbles to form even amidst fast-blowing winds.

By Rory Arnold, Earth.com Staff Writer

Source: NASA Earth Observatory

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