Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Oceansat-3 Detects Sharp Marine Productivity Drop During El Niño
A satellite operated by India has been watching the Pacific Ocean.
It noticed that ocean life and activity have decreased in a large area near the equator.
This happened in recent months as the ocean became warmer.
The warming is connected to a weather pattern called El Niño.
El Niño happens when parts of the Pacific Ocean become unusually warm.
It can change winds and ocean movements around the world.
It is also linked to heatwaves, extreme weather, and less rainfall.
The satellite uses special sensors to study both the ocean and the atmosphere.
The Indian Space Research Organisation’s Oceansat-3 detected declining marine productivity across the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
The decline was observed in recent months, before the ongoing El Niño becomes a full-blown event.
The observations link the reduced marine productivity to warming ocean temperatures.
El Niño is an abnormal warming of sea-surface temperatures along the equatorial Pacific.
Oceansat-3, launched in 2022, monitors atmospheric, biological, and physical ocean parameters.
- Who
- The Indian Space Research Organisation, using its Oceansat-3 satellite.
- What
- A sharp decline in marine productivity was detected and linked to warming ocean temperatures.
- When
- In recent months, before the ongoing El Niño becomes a full-blown event.
- Where
- Across the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
- Why
- The decline is linked to the warming associated with El Niño.
- Satellite
- Oceansat-3, also known as Earth Observation System EOS-06
- Launch year
- 2022
- Observed change
- A decline in marine productivity
- Observation area
- The equatorial Pacific Ocean
- Associated phenomenon
- The ongoing El Niño
- Primary sensors
- Ocean Colour Monitor-3 and Scatterometer sensors