One of two groups into which plankton are divided, the other being zooplankton Phytoplankton comprise all the freely floating photosynthetic forms in the oceans, i e , they are free-floating microscopic plants which, having little mobility, are distributed by ocean currents
microscopic photosynthetic members of the plankton; plankton being free-floating, usually minute organisms
Microscopic marine organisms (mostly algae and diatoms) which are responsible for most of the photosynthetic activity in the oceans (Source: Mintzer, 1992)
Small to microscopic aquatic organisms that are suspended in water and able to photosynthesize
The part of the plankton community comprising microscopic aquatic plants, mainly algae Their growth depends on solar radiation and nutrients Because they are able to incorporate as well as release materials to the surrounding water, phytoplankton have a profound effect on water quality They are primary food producers in the aquatic environment and, because so many are present in the world's oceans, contribute to the global oxygen balance They include blue-green algae, diatoms, and green algae
Microscopic plants that float in aquatic or marine environments (fresh or salty water)
Small highly diverse organisms relying on currents to keep them afloat Primarily algae such as bacillariophyta and dinoflagellates Reliant on sunlight, a carbon source and a supply of nutrients to photosynthesise Due to the reliance on sunlight, phytoplankton are only found in the surface waters where sufficient light penetrates