What is the percentage of oxygen phytoplankton is responsible for creating?

Bottom line: Tiny marine plants called phytoplankton contribute 50 to 85 percent of the oxygen in Earth's atmosphere.

How do plankton participate in the oxygen cycle?

The plankton live in the water. These plants release oxygen through photosynthesis, as we know photosynthesis releases oxygen through photolysis. The plankton participate in the oxygen cycle.

Which organism is responsible for oxygen in the atmosphere?

cyanobacteria
The answer is tiny organisms known as cyanobacteria or blue-green algae. These microbes carry out photosynthesis: using sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to produce carbohydrates and, yes, oxygen.

What is the function of phytoplankton?

Phytoplankton are the base of several aquatic food webs. In a balanced ecosystem, they provide food for a wide variety of marine animals. Phytoplankton, also known as microalgae, are similar to land plants in that they contain chlorophyll and require sunlight to live and grow.

What produces most of the world's oxygen?

Scientists estimate that 50-80% of the oxygen production on Earth comes from the ocean. The majority of this production is from oceanic plankton – drifting plants, algae and some bacteria capable of photosynthesis.

How are phytoplankton responsible for oxygen production?

Prochlorococcus and other marine phytoplankton are responsible for 70 percent of Earth's oxygen production. However, some researchers believe that phytoplankton levels have decreased by 40 percent since 1950 due to ocean warming. The temperature of the sea affects the number of phytoplankton in the sea.

Background information. Prochlorococcus and other marine phytoplankton are responsible for 70 percent of Earth's oxygen production. However, some researchers believe that phytoplankton levels have decreased by 40 percent since 1950 due to ocean warming.

The temperature of the sea affects the number of phytoplankton in the sea. Phytoplankton need sunlight and nutrients to grow. Since phytoplankton depend on photosynthesis, they must live near the surface of the ocean.

Where is phytoplankton most widespread in the world?

Phytoplankton is most abundant (yellow, high chlorophyll) at high latitudes and in upwelling zones along the equator and near coastlines. They are few in remote oceans (dark blue) where nutrient levels are low. This map shows the average chlorophyll concentration in the global oceans from July 2002-May 2010.