![]() In addition to oxygen production, phytoplankton are responsible for most of the transfer of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to the ocean. Phytoplankton are extremely important to the Earth’s carbon cycle they help to process and store carbon. This means less photosynthesizing, which decreases phytoplankton’s carbon dioxide absorption and oxygen production. As the ocean water gets warmer, there are less nutrients for the plankton to eat. As a result, less mixing and circulation is occurring between the ocean depths. As the oceans warm, there is less circulation of warm and cold water by the global conveyer belt. Nutrients come to the surface as a result of the global conveyor belt-an upwelling current that circulates cold water and nutrients from deeper waters to warmer surface waters. Since phytoplankton depend on photosynthesis, they have to live near the ocean surface. Phytoplankton need sunlight and nutrients to grow. Ocean temperature impacts the number of phytoplankton in the ocean. However, some scientists believe that phytoplankton levels have declined by 40 percent since 1950 due to the warming of the ocean. Prochlorococcus and other ocean phytoplankton are responsible for 70 percent of Earth’s oxygen production. Individual and collective actions are needed to effectively manage ocean resources for all. ![]() The ocean sustains life on Earth and humans must live in ways that sustain the ocean. Most of the oxygen in the atmosphere originally came from the activities of photosynthetic organisms in the ocean.Įveryone is responsible for caring for the ocean. Ocean Literacy Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts The changes that occur in the meaning, use, distribution, and importance of resources How physical systems affect human systems How human actions modify the physical environment ![]() National Council for Social Studies Curriculum Standards Represent and analyze mathematical situations and structures using algebraic symbols Have students create a t-shirt or a bumper sticker to increase public awareness about the problem with their own ocean health outreach slogan for example, Save the Phytoplankton-Breathe More Air!Ĭonnections to National Standards, Principles, and Practices NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics Have students create a t-shirt or bumper sticker. An important part of saving the ocean is working together and educating others about why it is important.Ĥ. Ask: Why is it important that we protect our oceans and the plankton that live in them? What are some ways we can protect the ocean? Explain to students that they can help protect plankton by decreasing pollution, using less energy, urging individuals and companies to stop destroying habitat on land and in the ocean, and encouraging others to stop overharvesting ocean wildlife. Use the provided Carbon Cycle illustration and information in the Background & Vocabulary tab of this activity to build students' content knowledge about phytoplankton's role in oxygen production and the carbon cycle. The health of all organisms in the ocean is connected to the health of phytoplankton. Discuss the importance of phytoplankton and ways humans can positively influence phytoplankton levels and overall ocean health.Įxplain to students that phytoplankton form the base of the marine food web. Finally, have students calculate the number of breaths that come from the phytoplankton, Prochlorococcus.ģ. ![]() After all groups have collected and recorded their data, have students independently calculate how many breaths they take in one minute, one hour, and one day. Ask them to assign roles: timer, breather, and data recorder. Then divide students into small groups of three to measure and record the number of breaths taken in 30 seconds. Have students collect and analyze data.ĭistribute a copy of the worksheet Breath Calculations to each student. Earle, a National Geographic Explorer, has estimated that Prochlorococcus provides the oxygen for one in every five breaths we take.Ģ. Prochlorococcus has achieved fame as perhaps the most abundant photosynthetic organism on the planet. It is so small that millions can fit in a drop of water. One type of phytoplankton, Prochlorococcus, releases countless tons of oxygen into the atmosphere. These plants produce oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis, a process which converts carbon dioxide and sunlight into sugars the organism can use for energy. The ocean produces oxygen through the plants ( phytoplankton, kelp, and algal plankton) that live in it. The remaining 2 percent of Earth’s oxygen comes from other sources. Ask: Where does the oxygen we breathe come from? Explain to students that rainforests are responsible for roughly one-third (28%) of the Earth’s oxygen but a huge amount (from 50% to 85%) of the oxygen in the atmosphere is produced by marine plants. ![]()
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