Marine plankton are microscopic organisms that form the foundation of the oceanic food web, playing a critical role in carbon cycling and oxygen production. They are categorized into phytoplankton, which perform photosynthesis, and zooplankton, which feed on other plankton, with their abundance and distribution being key indicators of ocean health and climate change impacts.

Marine Plankton

Microscopic Organisms

The oceanic food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains that illustrates the flow of energy and nutrients through marine ecosystems, starting from microscopic phytoplankton to top predators like sharks and whales. It highlights the interdependence of marine species and the impact of environmental changes on ocean biodiversity and stability.

Oceanic Food Web

Carbon cycling is the process through which carbon atoms are exchanged among the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of Earth, playing a crucial role in regulating climate and supporting life. Human activities, such as fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, have significantly altered the natural carbon cycle, contributing to climate change.

Carbon Cycling

Oxygen production primarily occurs through the process of photosynthesis, where plants, algae, and certain bacteria convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose using sunlight. This process is critical for maintaining atmospheric oxygen levels and supporting aerobic life on Earth.

Oxygen Production

Phytoplankton are microscopic, photosynthetic organisms that form the foundation of aquatic food webs, playing a critical role in carbon cycling and oxygen production. Their abundance and diversity are essential for maintaining marine ecosystems and are influenced by environmental factors such as light, nutrients, and temperature.

Phytoplankton

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy, stored as glucose, using carbon dioxide and water. This process not only sustains plant life but also produces oxygen, which is essential for most life forms on Earth.

Photosynthesis

Zooplankton are heterotrophic planktonic organisms that drift in aquatic environments, serving as a crucial component of the food web by consuming phytoplankton and being prey for larger marine animals. They play a significant role in nutrient cycling and carbon transport in marine ecosystems, influencing global biogeochemical processes.

Zooplankton

Feed on other plankton

Abundance and distribution

Ocean Health

Climate change impacts refer to the wide-ranging effects of climate change on the environment, human health, and economies, resulting from altered weather patterns, sea level rise, and increased frequency of extreme weather events. These impacts exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and inequalities, demanding urgent adaptation and mitigation strategies to safeguard ecosystems and human societies worldwide.

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