What is clouded waters and how does it affect marine ecosystems?

The Amazon River pours a vast flow of freshwater into the Atlantic, spreading over ocean depths of about 50 to 200 meters near the shelf. It carries nutrients that make the water cloudy but rich in life. Plankton blooms and drifting plant debris feed fish, crabs, and seabirds. Changing seasons and winds send bursts of food from land to sea across this wide, green plume. Most threatened by Coastal Pollution and Mangroove Destruction.

The Arctic Ocean is one of the coldest seas on Earth, with thick ice on the surface. In winter it stays dark for months, but in summer the sun shines all day and algae bloom under the ice. Openings in the ice, called leads and polynyas, let light and air into the water. Northern lights and rapid warming make this icy ocean both magical and fragile.

The Florida Keys are small islands of limestone surrounded by mangroves, seagrass, and coral reefs. These habitats together support turtles, manatees, fish, and birds. The Keys are a hotspot of tropical life and beauty. But they face threats from warming, rising seas, and pollution.