Tiny But Mighty: The Plankton That Power the Ocean

They’re invisible to the naked eye, but they keep our planet alive. Meet plankton the unsung superheroes of the sea.

What Are Plankton, Anyway?

“Plankton” is a catch-all name for tiny organisms that drift through the ocean. They come in two main types:

• Phytoplankton: Microscopic plant-like organisms that photosynthesize, producing over 50% of the Earth’s oxygen yes, more than the Amazon Rainforest!
• Zooplankton: Tiny drifting animals that feed on phytoplankton and serve as crucial food for larger marine life like fish, whales, and jellyfish.

Together, they form the foundation of the ocean food web.

A Breath of Fresh Plankton

Thanks to photosynthesis, phytoplankton play a massive role in regulating our climate. They absorb CO₂, acting as natural carbon sinks, and release oxygen into the atmosphere. Every second breath you take? Thank plankton.

Plankton = Life

Without plankton:

• Fish populations collapse
• Marine mammals starve
• Ocean ecosystems fall apart
• Oxygen levels drop worldwide

These microscopic marvels are like the ocean’s engine, silently driving climate control, carbon cycling, and marine biodiversity.

Plankton in Peril

Rising sea temperatures, pollution, and ocean acidification are threatening plankton populations. A decline in plankton doesn’t just mean fewer fish it means a weaker climate defense system and less breathable air for us all.

Fun Fact:

Some plankton glow in the dark! Bioluminescent plankton light up waves and shorelines at night, creating magical scenes known as “sea sparkles.”

The tiniest life forms can have the biggest impact.

Protect the ocean, and you protect the plankton that power our world.

- Project Blue