Hi everyone,
Today we're learning about phytoplankton. Phytoplankton are microscopic organisms that live in both salt and fresh water, and are mostly single-celled plants. The name phytoplankton comes from Greek and means 'drifting/wandering plants'. One of the most well-known phytoplankton species is green algae.
Today we're learning about phytoplankton. Phytoplankton are microscopic organisms that live in both salt and fresh water, and are mostly single-celled plants. The name phytoplankton comes from Greek and means 'drifting/wandering plants'. One of the most well-known phytoplankton species is green algae.
Photosynthesis and carbon transport
Phytoplankton contains chlorophyll and
photosynthesises. This process absorbs carbon dioxide and creates oxygen, which is released
into the surroundings. This is so effective that according to
a NASA page: "Through photosynthesis, phytoplankton consume carbon dioxide on a scale
equivalent to forests and other land plants." Phytoplankton is accountable for
the majority of the carbon dioxide that is transferred from the atmosphere to
the ocean. This carbon is carried to other ocean layers when the phytoplankton
dies and sinks to the ocean floor or is eaten by animals, that then generate
waste and also die. In fact, globally, 10 gigatons of carbon are transported
from the atmosphere to the ocean floor in this way every year.
Conditions and habitat
Phytoplankton can be found worldwide but are especially abundant along
coastlines. Multiple conditions make an area perfect for phytoplankton to
thrive. One of the most important is the availability of nutrients, for
example, calcium, iron, nitrate, phosphate, silicate and many others in
varying amounts depending on the species. Other conditions include depth,
predators, water temperature, wind and currents (which drive nutrients up from
the ocean depths).
Blooms
If the conditions are just right, they can lead to explosive growth in the
phytoplankton population, known as a bloom. These blooms can cover hundreds of
square kilometres and are visible in satellite photos from space! A bloom will
typically last for several weeks, however individual phytoplankton have a
lifespan of only a couple of days. During these blooms, more oxygen is created
and more carbon is absorbed due to increased population size.
They may look pretty, but the impacts of these blooms aren't always good. The dead phytoplankton sink down to the ocean floor and bacteria begin to decompose them. The problem is, that these bacteria use up a lot of oxygen. So much so, that when a lot of plankton die (after a bloom), the bacteria use up all the oxygen in the surrounding water causing marine animals to suffocate and die. Another problem is that some species of phytoplankton produce biotoxins. The blooms cause strong toxins to contaminate the surrounding water, poisoning the animals and the people that eat those animals. This is known as a red tide (harmful algae bloom).
They may look pretty, but the impacts of these blooms aren't always good. The dead phytoplankton sink down to the ocean floor and bacteria begin to decompose them. The problem is, that these bacteria use up a lot of oxygen. So much so, that when a lot of plankton die (after a bloom), the bacteria use up all the oxygen in the surrounding water causing marine animals to suffocate and die. Another problem is that some species of phytoplankton produce biotoxins. The blooms cause strong toxins to contaminate the surrounding water, poisoning the animals and the people that eat those animals. This is known as a red tide (harmful algae bloom).
Importance for marine life
Phytoplankton is very important for the aquatic food web and is eaten by a
wide range of species, from zooplankton to whales. They produce and release
oxygen (through photosynthesis) when they are alive, and dead phytoplankton
provide waters with nutrients as well as being good for sand quality.
Phytoplankton also plays a vital role in keeping the carbon dioxide levels in
the atmosphere and oceans as low as possible.
We hope you enjoyed this post. See you next week!
We hope you enjoyed this post. See you next week!
Your Green World Blog Team💚
Sources:
http://bioresearch.wdka.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/What-are-Phytoplankton_nasa.pdf
https://deepoceanfacts.com/importance-of-marine-phytoplankton
Images:
Microscopic image of a phytoplankton: This image, owned by NOAA Photo Library (on flickr.com) is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Phytoplankton bloom from space: This image, owned by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (on flickr.com) is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
http://bioresearch.wdka.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/What-are-Phytoplankton_nasa.pdf
https://deepoceanfacts.com/importance-of-marine-phytoplankton
Images:
Microscopic image of a phytoplankton: This image, owned by NOAA Photo Library (on flickr.com) is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Phytoplankton bloom from space: This image, owned by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (on flickr.com) is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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