phytoplankton

[ fahy-tuh-plangk-tuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the aggregate of plants and plantlike organisms in plankton.

phytoplankton

/ ˌfaɪtəˈplæŋktən; ˌfaɪtəplæŋkˈtɒnɪk /

noun

the photosynthesizing organisms in plankton, mainly unicellular algae and cyanobacteria Compare zooplankton

phytoplankton

Plankton consisting of free-floating algae, protists, and cyanobacteria. Phytoplankton form the beginning of the food chain for aquatic animals and fix large amounts of carbon, which would otherwise be released as carbon dioxide.

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Derived Forms

phytoplanktonic, adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of phytoplankton¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; phyto- + plankton

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"So phytoplankton use carbon to photosynthesize while things like mussels also use carbon to build their shells."

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On Earth, these gases are produced by marine phytoplankton and bacteria.

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A sign that this nutrient release has started around A23a will be when vast phytoplankton blooms blossom around the iceberg.

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Ash from forest fires can sometimes boost the growth of phytoplankton, the microscopic algae at the base of the marine food web, thanks to the infusion of nutrients from burned plants.

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"This isn't just water like we drink. It's full of nutrients and chemicals, as well as tiny animals like phytoplankton frozen inside," Ms Taylor says.

From

phytophthora phytoplasm

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