What is phytoplankton

The term phytoplankton refers, within the world of biology, to the set of Aquatic life agencies that are part of the planktoncharacterized by being able to feed autotrophicly by capturing solar energy during the photosynthetic process. His name comes from the Greek “Phyto” (plant) and “planktos” (vagabond), since they are photosynthetic organisms that live scattered in the water, instead of fixed in a place.

However, the distribution area of ​​the Phytoplankton It is always restricted to the highest layers of the sea, since they must access sunlight, an indispensable element for their survival. These microscopic plant organisms are reproduced with great ease and, in fact, they are so abundant in the seas that are responsible for carrying out half of the total photosynthesis carried out by all the photosynthetic organisms of the planet.

I broader this information with this other article about what plankton is and its importance.

The Main Organisms of Phytoplankton Of the different seas of the world are species that are included within the following groups of living beings, all of them photosynthetic:

• Diatomeas: Actinella Brasilliensis Lewis, Amphipleura Kutzing, Achnanthes Borge, Anphora Ovalis, Asterionel Hassall.
• DINOFLAGELADOS: Ceratium Furca, Peridinium depression, noctiluca scintillans.
• Green algae (cyanophytes): RIVULARIA BULLATA, CHROOCOCCUS TURGIDUS, ANABAENA SPP.
• Green algae: Chaetomorpha Aerea, Clanophora Fascicularis, Phycodrys Ovifolia, Petalonia Fascia.
• Brown algae: Synura spp., Stephanophyxis Palmeriana, Rhizosolenia Calcaravis.

Within this Classification of phytoplankton organismsthe diatoms (bearers of a characteristic silica skeleton) stand out as the most numerous group, followed by the Dinoflagellates (with two structures of displacement called flagella). You can learn more about it in this other post about what is the diatoms land.

Although the vast majority of organisms that constitute phytoplankton are usually microscopic organisms, the presence of certain algae is common, such as sargassum (Sargassum genus), which fill the most superficial layers of seas and oceans of the world with photosynthetic life, forming part of the phytoplankton. To expand this information, we also recommend this other post about the classification of algae.

The phytoplankton stands out for its important role within the correct functioning and balance of marine ecosystems. In a more specific way, phytoplankton is responsible for complying with the following biological functions:

• It is the Primary producer within the Trophic chain of aquatic ecosystems. The phytoplankton serves as food for living beings of equal or greater size (zooplankton), which are consumed by small fish (although also by whales) that, in turn, will be ingested by other larger fish or other predators, being the human being the final link of this trophic chain, when consuming the fish that incorporate the fishing industries into the food market.
• Phytoplankton is the main responsible for Maintain oxygen in the atmospheresince oxygen is one of the final products of photosynthesis, of which we have commented before the phytoplankton generates a very high percentage throughout the planet.
• They contribute richness and marine biodiversityadding the countless number of individuals that constitute it, to that in itself abundant marine vegetation.

If you want to read more articles similar to What is phytoplanktonwe recommend that you enter our biodiversity category.