phytoplankton

noun

phy·​to·​plank·​ton ˌfī-tō-ˈplaŋ(k)-tən 

-ˌtän

plural phytoplankton also phytoplanktons

: minute aquatic photosynthetic organisms (such as dinoflagellates, diatoms, and cyanobacteria) : photosynthetic plankton of freshwater or marine environments

Twenty to 40 different species of phytoplankton … can coexist within a single cubic centimeter of water, all vying just for light and a handful of nutrients.

—O. Baker

Phytoplankton—myriad small, mostly unicellular algae and bacteria that occupy the surface waters of seas and lakes—dominate aquatic primary production, and over time they have radically altered Earth's atmosphere.

—Robert Riding

Phytoplankton form the foundation of marine food chains, and their seasonal blooms are responsible for more than half the photosynthesis, and the resulting production of oxygen, that occurs on Earth.

—Robin George Andrews

Antarctic krill are thumb-sized crustaceans that feast on drifting phytoplankton …

—Usha Lee McFarling

compare zooplankton

phytoplanktonic

ˌfī-tō-plaŋ(k)-ˈtä-nik 

adjective

phytoplanktonic species

a phytoplanktonic bloom

Examples of phytoplankton in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Warmer water helps phytoplankton, microscopic plant-like organisms that form the base of the food web, bloom. —Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024

The spectacle, often caused by a bloom of bioluminescent phytoplankton, such as dinoflagellates, has many asking why organisms would risk burning energy trying to produce such captivating light in the first place. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

The spacecraft is equipped with instruments to assess the health of the oceans by measuring the distribution of phytoplankton, tiny plants and algae. —USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024

While understanding such information is important from many climate perspectives, there are relationships between aerosols (small particles in the atmosphere), clouds, and phytoplankton. —Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024

The mission will shed light on how aerosols and clouds as well as phytoplankton in the ocean serve as indicators for ocean health and global warming. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 8 Feb. 2024

Following tiny phytoplankton can help monitor all of these changes. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Feb. 2024

There’s been some early study into ways to potentially boost phytoplankton’s absorption of carbon dioxide by providing them with more nutrients. —Justine Calma, The Verge, 8 Feb. 2024

Read more: Watch One Year Of Carbon Emissions Take Over The Planet Scanning for phytoplankton isn’t all PACE will do. —TIME, 5 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

phyto- + plankton

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

phytoplankton

noun

phy·​to·​plank·​ton ˌfī-tō-ˈplaŋ(k)-tən 

-ˌtän

: plankton that is composed of plants