Phytoplankton

10/19/26

“What forms the base of ocean ecosystems?”

Creatures at the base of a food chain use primary production and photosynthesis to create new biomass. Phytoplankton, or plankton that use photosynthesis, are one of these creatures. Phytoplankton are responsible for around half of all oxygen production and photosynthetic activity despite composing only 1 percent of all biomass. Phytoplankton typically congregate in the photic zone since they require sunlight. Phytoplankton also require inorganic nutrients to survive, which is why they’re not commonly found in oceanic deserts.