planktoni

Planktoni is a term that refers to organisms that drift in bodies of water, primarily the ocean, and are unable to swim effectively against currents. The word plankton is derived from the Greek word planktos, meaning "wandering." These organisms are not defined by their species but by their mode of life. Plankton are crucial to aquatic ecosystems as they form the base of many food webs. They are broadly categorized into two main groups: phytoplankton and zooplankton.

Phytoplankton are microscopic, plant-like organisms, such as diatoms and dinoflagellates, that perform photosynthesis. They are the primary producers in most aquatic environments, converting sunlight into energy and producing a significant portion of the Earth's oxygen. Zooplankton are animal-like plankton, which can range from single-celled protozoa to small crustaceans and larval forms of larger animals like fish and jellyfish. They feed on phytoplankton or other zooplankton.

The distribution and abundance of plankton are influenced by factors like temperature, salinity, nutrient availability, and light. Blooms of phytoplankton, often triggered by nutrient-rich conditions, can support vast populations of zooplankton and subsequently larger marine life. Conversely, changes in ocean conditions due to climate change, such as warming waters and ocean acidification, can negatively impact plankton populations, with cascading effects throughout the marine food web.