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What are Some Types of Plankton?

Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov

Plankton is the name for the trillions of tiny organisms that float in the world's oceans at the pelagic zone, within 656 ft (200 m) from the surface, where there is sufficient light for photosynthesis. Like every other ecosystem in the world, the basis of life in this zone are the photosynthetic bacteria (cyanobacteria), algae, and other autotrophs that soak up the sun's rays and reproduce by using trace amounts of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, and silicon from sea water as nutrients to divide and grow. These microorganisms exist in a boom-and-bust pattern, usually twice a year, when nutrients are plentiful and the organisms quickly reproduce.

There are five common levels of classification for these organisms, based on their size: nanoplankton (< 20 microns), microplankton (< 0.2 mm), mesoplankton (< 2 mm), macroplankton (< 2 cm), and megaplankton (2 cm or larger). Like in most ecosystems, organisms are more numerous when they are smaller. Unlike terrestrial ecosystems, however, where there is abundant and macroscopic foliage, planktonic animals have more carnivorous tendencies. Herbivorous animals are more common on the sea floor, where more plant material is available.

Organisms included in this group, in approximate descending order of frequency, include the following:

  • cyanobacteria
  • flagellate protists
  • diatoms
  • rotifers
  • copepods (1 mm crustaceans)
  • arrow worms
  • ostracods (tiny seed-shaped crustaceans)
  • krill
  • tunicates (blob-like filter feeders that are actually primitive chordates)
  • pteropods (planktonic gastropods)
  • jellyfish
  • ctenophores
  • water fleas (crustaceans)
  • pyrosomes (bioluminescent tunicates)
  • cephalopods
  • fish
  • and other small creatures.
Plankton includes tiny organisms such as water fleas, which are crustaceans.
Plankton includes tiny organisms such as water fleas, which are crustaceans.

At the highest level, rare large animals such as whales occasionally pass through this ecosystem and eat whatever organisms they can find. The combined annual prey of all whales in the world exceeds 100 million tons, which is greater than the total annual human consumption of seafood.

To humans, plankton is only indirectly meaningful because it serves as the primary food source of everything else in the ocean. Occasionally, some members of the collective, especially bacteria, are so visibly bioluminescent that "milky seas" — glowing water — are created. Areas as large as 6,000 square miles (15,540 square km) have been observed displaying the milky seas effect, and scientists are very interested in learning more about the conditions that give rise to this rare phenomenon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main types of plankton found in aquatic ecosystems?

Whales consume vast amounts of plankton.
Whales consume vast amounts of plankton.

Plankton are primarily divided into two categories: phytoplankton, which are photosynthetic organisms like algae, and zooplankton, which are tiny animals or the larval stages of larger animals. Phytoplankton, such as diatoms and dinoflagellates, form the base of the aquatic food web, while zooplankton, including copepods and krill, are crucial secondary producers.

How do phytoplankton contribute to the ocean's health and the global ecosystem?

Phytoplankton are the ocean's primary producers, generating an estimated 50% of the world's oxygen through photosynthesis, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). They absorb carbon dioxide, which helps regulate the Earth's climate, and form the foundation of marine food chains, supporting a diverse range of marine life.

What role do zooplankton play in marine food webs?

Zooplankton serve as a critical link between primary producers (phytoplankton) and higher trophic levels, including fish, marine mammals, and birds. They consume phytoplankton and, in turn, are preyed upon by larger organisms. This transfer of energy up the food chain supports the vast biodiversity found in marine ecosystems.

Can plankton populations affect climate change?

Yes, plankton populations can significantly affect climate change. Phytoplankton absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, which can reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. When they die, some of this carbon sinks to the ocean floor, effectively sequestering it. Changes in plankton populations can therefore influence global carbon cycles and climate patterns.

What factors influence the distribution and abundance of plankton in the oceans?

The distribution and abundance of plankton are influenced by a variety of factors, including water temperature, salinity, nutrient availability, and light penetration. Ocean currents also play a significant role in dispersing plankton. Seasonal changes can lead to phenomena like algal blooms, which are periods of rapid phytoplankton growth due to optimal conditions.

How are human activities impacting plankton populations?

Human activities such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change are impacting plankton populations. Rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification can disrupt plankton growth and reproduction cycles. Additionally, nutrient runoff from agriculture can lead to harmful algal blooms, which can deplete oxygen levels and create dead zones, further threatening marine ecosystems.

Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov

Michael is a longtime AllThingsNature contributor who specializes in topics relating to paleontology, physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and futurism. In addition to being an avid blogger, Michael is particularly passionate about stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and life extension therapies. He has also worked for the Methuselah Foundation, the Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and the Lifeboat Foundation.

Learn more...
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov

Michael is a longtime AllThingsNature contributor who specializes in topics relating to paleontology, physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and futurism. In addition to being an avid blogger, Michael is particularly passionate about stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and life extension therapies. He has also worked for the Methuselah Foundation, the Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and the Lifeboat Foundation.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

MrsPramm

@indigomoth - People eat algae as well, and that might become a more and more important food source in the future. It can be used as a fertilizer too, I think.

What I love is when you look at a little bit of ocean water underneath a microscope. I'm training to be a teacher right now and I have plans to always have a microscope set up in the classroom. With just drops of seawater and plankton I believe I could have something different underneath the scope every day of the year. The diatoms alone are gorgeous and fascinating, and definitely worth looking up. Try searching for pictures of planktons online.

indigomoth

@Iluviaporos - That would be pretty cool. Another thing I might mention here is that although the article says that we don't really get many direct advantages from plankton (although we do, of course, get indirect advantages since we eat the fish that live on plankton) we actually do get one major one.

The algae in plankton are similar to plants in that they produce oxygen. I'm not sure if they are bigger producers than the rainforests, but we can't do without them at even a basic level, that's for sure.

lluviaporos

One of my favorite experiences was one New Years when I was on the beach with a group of friends (in a warm climate!) and at midnight we all waded out into the water at the stroke of midnight to bring in the new year. It wasn't until we were out there that we realized there was little glowing plankton specks all around us. It was amazing.

To this day, I'm not sure what kind of plankton animals they were, but they were amazing all the same. I would love to see the "milky sea" phenomenon mentioned in the article. I think that would be absolutely beautiful.

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    • Plankton includes tiny organisms such as water fleas, which are crustaceans.
      By: micro_photo
      Plankton includes tiny organisms such as water fleas, which are crustaceans.
    • Whales consume vast amounts of plankton.
      By: apfelweile
      Whales consume vast amounts of plankton.