(Image credits: https://mrros.blog)
More than half of the oxygen in the earth’s atmosphere is from microscopic algae called phytoplanktons which are able to perform photosynthesis. Phytoplanktons are found in water bodies like rivers, lakes and oceans. Not only do they produce oxygen but are also a foundation of aquatic food chains feeding microscopic animals to whales.
Marine systems are impacted by climate change which might affect the diversity and abundance of these organisms. Phytoplanktons are an important part of the carbon cycle of the earth. They are responsible for most of the transfer of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to the ocean. During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is consumed and then stored by them. Each year even a small change in the growth of phytoplanktons may affect the atmospheric carbon dioxide resulting in further climate change.
