What are plankton?What are plankton?

• At the mercy of tides, currents and waves

• Small (generally)

• Source of food for other sea creatures

• Include plants and animals– Zooplankton = animals– Phytoplankton = plants

• At the mercy of tides, currents and waves

• Small (generally)

• Source of food for other sea creatures

• Include plants and animals– Zooplankton = animals– Phytoplankton = plants

Why are phytoplankton important?

Why are phytoplankton important?

Provide roughly 50% of the world’s oxygen!!

Provide roughly 50% of the world’s oxygen!!

Phytoplankton are so abundant they….Phytoplankton are so abundant they….

There are many types of phytoplanktonThere are many types of phytoplankton

DiatomsDinoflagellates

Coccolithophores

Where do phytoplankton live?

•Live near the surface

•Small

•Abundant

How can we measure the abundance of phytoplankton?How can we measure the abundance of phytoplankton?

• Phytoplankton contain colorful pigments

• More phytoplankton = more pigment

• Phytoplankton contain colorful pigments

• More phytoplankton = more pigment

Blue-green algae bloom

How can we measure the abundance of phytoplankton?How can we measure the abundance of phytoplankton?

SatellitesSatellites

The orbiting satellite can view every square kilometer of cloud-free ocean every 48 hours! 

The orbiting satellite can view every square kilometer of cloud-free ocean every 48 hours! 

Can phytoplankton swim?Can phytoplankton swim?