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Phytoplankton can be seen as coloured patches at the surface of bodies of water, despite the fact that each of these organisms is minuscule and abundant. Furthermore, because of the presence of chlorophyll, discovered where two currents converge.
- All kinds of aquatic habitats contain phytoplanktons, which serve as a food supply for many zooplanktons.
- These are a class of microscopic plankton that can perform photosynthesis and are present in freshwater, saltwater, and oceans.
- They are an important part of aquatic ecosystems. These come in a variety of forms and sizes.
- They live in sunlight-exposed waters and are autotrophic photosynthetic organisms.
Read More: Ecology and Environment
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Key Terms: Phytoplankton, Cyanobacteria, Dinoflagellates, Photosynthesis, Diversity, Ecology
What is Phytoplankton?
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A vital part of aquatic ecosystems, phytoplankton is a type of microscopic plankton that can perform photosynthesis and is found in rivers, oceans, and seas. Size and shape-variant phytoplankton live in sunlight-exposed seas and are autotrophic, photosynthesizing organisms.
- Due to the presence of chlorophyll, phytoplankton can be seen as coloured patches at the surface of bodies of water or where two currents intersect, even though each creature is minute.
- Since the Precambrian Era, phytoplankton has played a crucial role in regulating the amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere and are frequently produced to support aquaculture.
- In fact, up to 85% of the oxygen in the atmosphere is thought to be produced by phytoplankton.
Read More: Transgenic Animals
Types of Phytoplankton
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This phrase refers to a large group of over 5000 species of photosynthesizing aquatic microorganisms. These many species are found in various habitats.
The following is a description of some of the species that are most frequently studied:
- Coccolithophorids: Important phytoplankton species known as coccolithophorids display the distinctive calcium carbonate plates known as coccoliths.
- In addition to being a significant microfossil, this form of phytoplankton is a source of dimethyl sulphide, which is regarded to be a potential mechanism for controlling climate change.
- The increased concentration of dimethyl sulphide is predicted to be oxidised by the increased amount of this phytoplankton, resulting in the formation of sulphur dioxide and sulphate aerosols.
- These particles will serve as cloud seed nuclei, increasing cloud cover and sunlight reflection.
- Cyanobacteria: Cyanobacteria are incredibly tiny phytoplankton that often lives in calmer seas and may survive in conditions with fewer nutrients.
- When water temperatures vary or nitrogen levels drop, cyanobacterial species outcompete many other types of phytoplankton due to their enormous diversity and demonstrated exceptional adaptability to changes in aquatic environments.
- Blue-green algae, sometimes known as cyanobacteria, are not actually eukaryotic algae.
- They are Gram-negative prokaryotes that fix atmospheric N2 in addition to performing oxygenic photosynthesis.
- Diatoms: Diatoms are a very significant type of phytoplankton that, despite being minute, reproduce quickly. Diatoms have a "bloom-and-bust" life cycle, making them a good indicator of the quality of water.
- Diatoms quickly multiply as soon as nutrients get to an ocean's sunlight-facing surfaces.
- This growth stops when the nutrients (silicon, for example) are exhausted.
- The organic stuff present in the sediment of vast bodies of water is likewise mostly made up of diatoms.
- Dinoflagellates: Dinoflagellates are essential phytoplankton that frequently contributes to the maintenance of coral reef ecosystems by serving as a vital food supply for numerous organisms.
- Dinoflagellates are known to generate "red tides," toxic algal blooms with a distinctive red color.
- Shellfish can become contaminated by such blooms, which, if swallowed, will make people sick from food poisoning.
Read More: Terrestrial Ecosystem
Ecology of Phytoplankton
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Phytoplankton obtains their energy from photosynthesis; therefore, they must reside near the well-lit outer surface (known as the euphotic zone) of a sea, ocean, lake, or other similar body of water in order to thrive. On Earth, phytoplankton is responsible for around half of all photosynthetic activity.
- A significant fraction of freshwater and oceanic food webs depends on the carbon molecules in those ecosystems for cumulative energy fixation (primary production).
- Despite the fact that almost all phytoplankton species are obligatory photoautotrophs, some are mixotrophic, while others are heterotrophic because they lack pigment.
- The most popular dinoflagellate genera are Noctiluca and Dinophysis, which absorb organic carbon via ingesting certain organisms or detritus.
- In the photic zone of the ocean, where photosynthesis is possible, phytoplankton can be found.
- During photosynthesis, they take in carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen.
- Solar radiation that is too powerful can cause phytoplankton to photodegrade.
- Nutrients from rivers, glacial glacier meltwater, and continental weathering provide phytoplankton cells with what they need to grow.
- Even though some phytoplankton cells, such as dinoflagellates, can travel vertically, they are unable to move forcefully against currents.
- As a result, they slowly sink and finally fertilize the seafloor, which is covered in dead cells and other debris.
Read More: Productivity In Ecosystem
Diversity of Phytoplankton
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In aquatic food chains, phytoplankton refers to both photoautotrophic bacteria. With the exception of terrestrial ecosystems, where plants constitute the bulk of autotrophs, phytoplankton is a complex community made up of protistan eukaryotes, eubacterial prokaryotes, and archaebacterial prokaryotes. Marine phytoplankton has been divided into over 5,000 different species. It’s unclear how this diversity developed in the face of scarce resources.
- Despite the fact that a variety of other kinds of algae are also present, cyanobacteria, diatoms, and dinoflagellates are by far the most prevalent classes of phytoplankton in terms of abundance.
- Different phytoplankton types support different trophic levels in varied settings.
- In oligotrophic oceanic environments like the Sargasso Sea and the South Pacific Gyre, picoplankton, and nanoplankton, are home to picoeukaryotes and cyanobacteria, including Micromonas.
Read More: Genetically Modified Organisms
Economic Importance of Phytoplankton
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Numerous applications exist for phytoplankton, and their bulk cultivation can also be a significant source of income.
- They serve a crucial purpose in both animal and human nutrition and are primarily utilized as food supplements.
- Drug production also makes use of phytoplankton.
- They have also demonstrated their suitability for the synthesis of vaccines.
The phytoplankton's functions are shown in the following table:
| Phytoplanktons | Applications |
|---|---|
| Chlorella Vulgaris | Food supplement, animal feed. |
| Spirulina | Food supplement and cosmetics |
| Odontella aurita | Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food for both adults and infants |
| Phaeodactylum tricornutum | Fuel production and nutrition |
| Porphyridium cruentum | Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and nutrition |
Read More: Pathogens
What Does Phytoplankton Eat?
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For the most part, Vitamin B and the minerals found in aquatic settings are what phytoplankton need to survive. Iron, phosphate, silicic acid, and nitrate must all be present for aquatic conditions to maintain phytoplankton. In fact, there is a corresponding lack of phytoplankton when certain macronutrients are deficient.
Things to Remember
- Phytoplankton is the tiny, plant-like producers of the plankton community.
- Phytoplankton are regularly generated to support aquaculture.
- They play a significant role in controlling the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere since the Precambrian Period.
- In actuality, phytoplankton is considered to be responsible for producing up to 85% of the oxygen in the atmosphere.
- Phytoplankton obtain their energy through photosynthesis.
- There is no scientific name for phytoplankton.
- Phytoplankton is a biological source that can be used for carbon sequestration.
Sample Questions
Ques. What is Plankton Bloom? (2 Marks)
Ans. Plankton blooms are a common occurrence in the ocean that occur naturally. The culprits are phytoplankton, little plants that float in the sunlight of upper ocean waters. Every time there is a considerable concentration of phytoplankton in one area, the color of the water's surface changes. Plankton with coccolithophores is different from other types.
Ques. When there is no phytoplankton present in an aquatic environment, it means that? (1 Mark)
(A) Water quality
(B) The absence of sunlight
(C) Insufficient nutrients
(D) All of the above are indications
Ans. (D) Only in the presence of sufficient nutrients and sunlight can phytoplankton grow. Because of this, phytoplankton normally does not grow in the absence of such nutrients. Additionally, useful indicators of water quality include the species present in the water and the existence of phytoplankton blooms.
Ques. Is it Possible to Live without Plankton? (2 Marks)
Ans. The aquatic food web is built on plankton, without which all larger species will go extinct. No plankton means no fish, which means no food for millions of people throughout the world.
Ques. Phytoplankton in a food chain is what? (3 Marks)
Ans. The aquatic food chain contains specialised producers. They are phytoplankton, which are minuscule plants that are microscopic. In the same way that zooplankton is found in the sea, where these unusual, microscopic plants also reside. Zooplankton naturally eats phytoplankton as well.
Ques. Where can you find algae and phytoplankton? (2 Marks)
Ans. Aquatic, plant-like organisms are called algae. From single-celled phytoplankton floating in the water to enormous seaweeds (macroalgae) adhering to the ocean floor, they include a variety of basic forms. Anywhere on Earth, you can find algae living in ponds, lakes, rivers, oceans, and even snow.
Ques. Photosynthesis occurs in phytoplankton. (2 Marks)
Ans. Photosynthesis is the process by which land plants like trees and phytoplankton get their energy. As a result, phytoplankton lives on the well-lit surface layers (euphotic zone) of seas and lakes because they need sunlight to survive.
Ques. What are phytoplankton and macrophytes? (2 Marks)
Ans. Microorganisms or plants known as phytoplankton are found in aquatic ecosystems or water bodies. They are autotrophs since they can produce their own nourishment. They function as producers in aquatic habitats. Plants that are located in or close to a body of water are known as macrophytes.
Ques. Phytoplankton is a component of (1 Mark)
(A) Pond ecosystem
(B) Desert ecosystem
(C) Grass ecosystem
(D) Forest ecosystem
Ans. The correct option is A Pond ecosystem. Both living and non-living elements make up an ecosystem.
Phytoplankton is the main food-producing organisms in pond ecosystems. These are eaten by zooplankton, which is then consumed by small fish, who are ultimately consumed by giant fish. So, at the first trophic level, phytoplankton is a part of the pond ecosystem.
Ques. What name is given to a bloom of phytoplankton in water? (2 Marks)
(A) Nitrification
(B) Phosphate enhancement
(C) Eutrophication
(D) Nitro-bloom
Ans. The correct option is C Eutrophication. When water is enriched with nutrients, particularly nitrogen, and phosphorus, it is said to be eutrophicated. This encourages primary production.
Ques. Can people consume phytoplankton? (2 Marks)
Ans. After more than 5 years of study and experiment, plankton was declared to be a human-edible meal in 2014. However, at the time, not everyone has access to it. It must be diluted in water using 3 or 4 parts water for every part of the plankton because it has been lyophilized, making it powder.
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