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Phytoplankton

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

Satellite view showing colorful phytoplankton blooms in the ocean near Hokkaido, Japan, created by the meeting of two ocean currents.

Tiny Plants in the Water

Phytoplankton are very small plants that float in oceans and lakes. They are so tiny that you need a microscope to see them! These tiny plants get their food from sunlight, just like flowers and trees on land. This process is called photosynthesis.

Phytoplankton are very important for our world. They are the first step in the food chain for many sea animals. Small creatures eat phytoplankton, and then bigger fish and whales eat those small creatures. Phytoplankton also help us by taking in air from the world around us and giving out the air we need to breathe.

There are many kinds of phytoplankton. Some are called cyanobacteria, and others are called diatoms. Even though they are tiny, when there are lots of them together, they can sometimes make the water look green or other pretty colors.

Phytoplankton need sunlight to live, so they stay close to the top of the water where the sun shines. They also need special things from the water to grow, like nutrients from rivers and rain. These tiny plants help keep our water and air healthy for everyone.

Images

A colorful scientific image showing different types of tiny ocean plants called phytoplankton.
Microscopic view of diatoms, tiny plants found in Antarctic waters.
A close-up view of blue-green algae under a microscope, showing its unique structure for science learning.
A detailed close-up of a diatom's cell wall, showcasing its unique silica structure under a microscope.
Diagram showing how tiny ocean plants called phytoplankton grow, share oxygen, and support marine life.
A beautiful night-time view of luminescent plankton glowing on the beaches of Chabahar, Iran.
Satellite view of a large phytoplankton bloom in the ocean, formed by tiny living organisms called coccoliths.
A stunning satellite view of a massive phytoplankton bloom in the Southern Ocean, showing how tiny plants color the ocean waters.
A colorful satellite view showing where tiny ocean plants, called plankton, grow around the world. These plants are important for sea life and help our planet breathe!
A colorful world map showing how different kinds of tiny ocean plants (phytoplankton) are spread across the globe throughout the year.
Illustration showing how different environmental factors influence the growth of phytoplankton in oceans and lakes.
Diagram showing how tiny ocean plants called phytoplankton help cycle carbon and nutrients in the sea.
A detailed close-up of a centric diatom, a tiny microscopic organism found in water.

Related articles

Photosynthesis
Cyanobacteria

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Phytoplankton, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.