A
Yes, plankton are responsible for most of the oceanic biomass.
Here's a quick breakdown:
✅ What Are Plankton?
Plankton are tiny organisms that drift in the ocean's currents and can be divided into two main categories:
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Phytoplankton – microscopic plants/algae that perform photosynthesis.
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Zooplankton – tiny animals or the larval stages of larger animals.
🌊 Why Do They Dominate Oceanic Biomass?
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High abundance: Trillions of individual plankton exist in every ocean region.
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Primary producers: Phytoplankton form the base of the marine food web, supporting everything from tiny crustaceans to whales.
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Short life cycles: Plankton reproduce rapidly, leading to constantly renewing biomass.
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Global distribution: Plankton exist from the surface to deep waters, from polar to tropical seas.
📊 Biomass Numbers (rough estimates):
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Phytoplankton: Estimated at ~1–2 billion metric tons of carbon globally.
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Zooplankton: Adds significantly to this total, though more variable.
While larger animals like whales or fish are impressive in size, their combined biomass is far less than that of plankton.
🌍 Bonus: Role in the Earth’s Systems
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Plankton (especially phytoplankton) produce over 50% of the Earth’s oxygen.
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They play a crucial role in carbon cycling and climate regulation.
So yes — plankton are the foundation of oceanic life and dominate the ocean’s biomass.
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