Ocean Color - Earth Systems

Ocean chlorophyll concentrations - known as ocean color - provide a perfect opening into Earth system interactions. The hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere contribute to the color or the concentration of primary producers in the ocean. In fact, this is a huge part of the global carbon and biogeochemical cycles in addition to the marine food web.

What’s happening in this map? What do you notice that makes you think that?

In this short activity, students will strengthen their critical thinking skills by carefully observing the data, forming ideas, and backing them up with evidence.

While these maps do relate to Earth sytems, the carbon cycle, marine food webs, and interactions between the atmosphere, ocean, and living things, the real goal of this activity is to help students slow down, look closely, ask better questions, and support their ideas with strong evidence.

• Week 11 - Published September 16, 2025
• Best suited for 6-10+ grades
• NGSS - 5-ESS2: Earth’s Systems

• Teacher Guide
• Student Worksheet
• Presentation Slides

Ocean Color (monthly) - Real-time

Ocean chlorophyll concentrations - known as ocean color - provide a perfect opening into Earth system interactions.