Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton are microscopic photosynthetic organisms that drift in aquatic environments. They convert light and dissolved nutrients into organic matter, supporting aquatic food webs and influencing Earth’s carbon cycle.

Photosynthesis: The process by which organisms use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into organic compounds. Phytoplankton use this process to produce biomass and release oxygen.
Primary production: The creation of organic matter from inorganic carbon by photosynthetic or chemosynthetic organisms. Phytoplankton account for much of the ocean’s photosynthetic primary production.
Ocean color: The wavelength-dependent color of light reflected or scattered by ocean water and its contents. Satellite ocean color measurements estimate phytoplankton abundance from surface waters.
Marine food web: A network of feeding relationships among organisms in marine ecosystems. Phytoplankton provide food directly or indirectly for much of marine life.
Benthic algae: Photosynthetic algae that live attached to or on the bottom of aquatic environments. Benthic algae grow on substrates, while phytoplankton drift in the water column.
Diatom: A single-celled alga whose cell wall is made of silica. Diatoms are a major phytoplankton group with distinctive glasslike shells.
Upwelling: The rise of deeper water toward the surface, often driven by winds and currents. Upwelling brings nutrients into sunlit waters and can fuel phytoplankton growth.
Remote sensing: The collection of information about objects or places without direct physical contact. Satellites use remote sensing to monitor phytoplankton across vast ocean areas.
Zooplankton: Drifting aquatic animals and animal-like organisms that feed on smaller organisms or organic matter. Zooplankton graze on phytoplankton and pass their production to larger consumers.
Macrophyte: A large aquatic plant visible to the naked eye, such as a seagrass or water lily. Macrophytes are rooted or anchored producers rather than microscopic drifting cells.

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