phytoplankton
noun
phy·to·plank·ton ˌfī-tō-ˈplaŋ(k)-tən 
-ˌtän
: planktonic plant life
phytoplanktonic
ˌfī-tō-plaŋ(k)-ˈtä-nik
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Krill eat the phytoplankton, and animals like seals, fish, and penguins eat the krill. 
Allison Chinchar, CNN, 7 May 2022 Brine shrimp in Gilbert Bay depend on nutrient flows from fresher bays, grazing so heavily on the ensuing phytoplankton that the waters become visibly clearer between spring and fall. Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 June 2022 Officials believe the June 2 sewage spill might have contributed to a phytoplankton bloom in the creek. Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 9 June 2022 Natural ingredients keep skin safe, with zinc oxide microalgae, rice starch, and blue phytoplankton working together to protect the skin. The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 May 2022 Without phytoplankton, sunlight reaches farther into the water column and warms the water. Elissa Welle, Detroit Free Press, 28 May 2022 The polar scientist takes tourists to collect phytoplankton samples -- and record the temperature and salinity of the seawater -- at sites just like this up and down the Antarctic Peninsula. Mark Johanson, CNN, 27 Apr. 2022 Satellites can measure phytoplankton by using algorithms to calculate the concentration of chlorophyll based on the colors in the water. Washington Post, 22 Dec. 2021 Add nutrients such as nitrogen, iron or phosphorus to stimulate production of marine phytoplankton and enhance uptake of CO2 through photosynthesis. Eric Niiler, WSJ, 6 Mar. 2022 See More
Allison Chinchar, CNN, 7 May 2022 Brine shrimp in Gilbert Bay depend on nutrient flows from fresher bays, grazing so heavily on the ensuing phytoplankton that the waters become visibly clearer between spring and fall. Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 June 2022 Officials believe the June 2 sewage spill might have contributed to a phytoplankton bloom in the creek. Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 9 June 2022 Natural ingredients keep skin safe, with zinc oxide microalgae, rice starch, and blue phytoplankton working together to protect the skin. The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 May 2022 Without phytoplankton, sunlight reaches farther into the water column and warms the water. Elissa Welle, Detroit Free Press, 28 May 2022 The polar scientist takes tourists to collect phytoplankton samples -- and record the temperature and salinity of the seawater -- at sites just like this up and down the Antarctic Peninsula. Mark Johanson, CNN, 27 Apr. 2022 Satellites can measure phytoplankton by using algorithms to calculate the concentration of chlorophyll based on the colors in the water. Washington Post, 22 Dec. 2021 Add nutrients such as nitrogen, iron or phosphorus to stimulate production of marine phytoplankton and enhance uptake of CO2 through photosynthesis. Eric Niiler, WSJ, 6 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
phyto- + plankton
First Known Use
1897, in the meaning defined above