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Why is phytoplankton important to the ocean?

Phytoplankton account for about half of the photosynthesis on the planet, making them one of the world’s most important producers of oxygen. Phytoplankton rely on nutrients found in their surroundings, such as phosphate, nitrate, and calcium, to thrive.

Why is phytoplankton important to primary productivity?

Importance of phytoplankton Phytoplankton are the foundation of the aquatic food web, the primary producers, feeding everything from microscopic, animal-like zooplankton to multi-ton whales. Small fish and invertebrates also graze on the plant-like organisms, and then those smaller animals are eaten by bigger ones.

What is productivity in phytoplankton?

Ocean productivity largely refers to the production of organic matter by “phytoplankton,” plants suspended in the ocean, most of which are single-celled. “Secondary production” (SP) typically refers to the growth rate of heterotrophic biomass.

Where in the ocean is phytoplankton productivity the greatest Why?

coastal upwelling
With some exceptions, the distribution of phytoplankton corresponds to the distribution of macronutrients. Because of coastal upwelling and land runoff, nutrient levels are highest near the continents. Plankton are most abundant there, and productivity is highest.

What is the importance of zooplankton?

The zooplankton community is an important element of the aquatic food chain. These organisms serve as an intermediary species in the food chain, transferring energy from planktonic algae (primary producers) to the larger invertebrate predators and fish who in turn feed on them.

What do plankton do in the ocean?

Phytoplankton are microscopic plants, but they play a huge role in the marine food web. Like plants on land, phytoplankton perform photosynthesis to convert the sun’s rays into energy to support them, and they take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.

What role do phytoplankton play in the global carbon cycle?

Climate and the Carbon Cycle Phytoplankton are responsible for most of the transfer of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to the ocean. Carbon dioxide is consumed during photosynthesis, and the carbon is incorporated in the phytoplankton, just as carbon is stored in the wood and leaves of a tree.

How do you measure phytoplankton productivity?

Traditionally the gross rate of phytoplankton productivity has been obtained from the observed net productivity plus respiratory losses. The organisms are assumed to be photoautotrophic, and productivity is usually measured as photosynthetic carbon fixation or oxygen release (Harris, 1978).

Why does the ocean have low productivity?

In ocean, sunlight is the main limiting factor which decreases the rate of photosynthesis. Minerals and nutrients can also be a retarding factor based on location of the oceans.So, there will be less productivity than land which is 170 billion tons compared to 55 billion tons ion oceans.

Why do phytoplankton prefer cooler ocean waters over warmer ocean waters?

Because cold waters tend to have more nutrients than warm waters, phytoplankton tend to be more plentiful where waters ware cold. These sea surface temperature maps are based on observations by the MODIS sensors on NASA’s Terra and Aqua satellites.

Why is phytoplankton so important?

Phytoplankton are microscopic marine organisms that sit at the bottom of the food chain. Phytoplankton get their energy from carbon dioxide through photosynthesis (like plants) and so are very important in carbon cycling. Each year, they transfer around 10 billion tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere to the ocean.

What are the benefits of measuring phytoplankton?

Measuring phytoplankton can provide valuable insights regarding the biological status of any given aquatic system. Some common applications include: As phytoplankton form the foundation of aquatic food webs, concentrations of phytoplankton can have a direct effect on all organisms higher up on the food chain.

How do abiotic and biotic conditions affect phytoplankton biomass?

Abiotic conditions had a major effect on biomass of phytoplankton communities exposed to different temperature conditions, however, the effect of biotic and abiotic conditions together was even more pronounced. Additionally, phytoplankton community responses to pulse temperature effects depended on the warming history.

Why is ocean primary productivity declining?

“This research shows ocean primary productivity is declining, and it may be a result of climate changes such as increased temperatures and decreased iron deposition into parts of the oceans. This has major implications for the global carbon cycle ,” Gregg said.

What is the role of iron in oceanic primary production?

Oceanic primary production, the transfer of carbon dioxide into organic carbon by photosynthetic plankton (phytoplankton), is one process by which atmospheric CO2 can be transferred to the deep ocean and sequestered for long periods of time. Accordingly, iron limitation of primary producers likely plays a major role in the global carbon cycle.