Plankton Refers to a Family of Small Animals or Plants - Research Paper Example

? PLANKTON of Affiliation PLANKTON Plankton refers to a family of small animals or plants, usually microscopic, found drifting floating in clusters on both salt and fresh water bodies. The planktons come in three distinct types. To begin with is the tiny and often microscopic plants called phytoplankton. They are photosynthetic single celled organisms that manufacture their food using sunlight energy. The other term is Zooplankton, which represents organisms within this category that are either single or multi-celled animals and they feed on living planktons (Cable, 1966). The third category, though rarely considered in most cases, comprises of bacteria which mostly feed on dead matter leaving only a few that are photosynthetic. Majority of the planktons can only be viewed with the help of powerful microscope although some larger animals that include jellyfish, shrimps fall in this category by virtue of their floating lifestyle (Ocean News, 2013). In addition to this, most plankton are able to make slight vertical movements along the water column, although some are unable to do anything but only be carried passively by the water current. PLANT PLANKTON (PHYTOPLANKTON) Phytoplankton or plant plankton carries out three major roles that are crucial to general life on earth. These include i. Provision of close to 50% oxygen found on earth’s atmosphere ii. Regulation of carbon dioxide levels within the water and in the atmosphere iii. They occupy the primary level of the aquatic food webs Microscopic algae are the most common phytoplankton. The amount and distribution of planktons depends much on the amount of light, availability of nutrients and the steadiness of water layers. For instance, the region around New Zealand experiences the springtime bloom in which case phytoplankton algae extensively cover the surface of water bodies. Such is the case that during this period the temperature is high, sunlight hours increase while nutrients are readily available. This comes following the stirring of storms and the winter cooling. Under such conditions, the phytoplankton undergoes a rapid growth and reproduction (Boney, 1975). In fact, it is said that the reproduction process doubles with each new day, a situation that sometimes escalate to reach nuisance proportions (Bolli, Saunders & Nielsen 1985). At its peak growth, the toxicity level increases and the oxygen in water reduce and at its worst, it is depleted. However, the phytoplankton often depletes their nutrients prior to this. The phytoplankton population is controlled by the grazing Zooplankton. The three major phytoplankton types include: i) Diatoms: This is formed of single cells that are covered within cases of silica (glass). Each of this case comprises two interlocking parts and fine holes that allow nutrients in and waste to move out. These organisms, that also form the photosynthetic group, live mostly in the ocean, and only a small group inhabiting fresh water. ii) Dinoflagellates: The name is derived from the two whip-like extensions (flagella) used to make forward movement. This group takes in the predatory species as well as the photosynthetic members (Tomas, & Hasle, 1997). Red tide is a term used when referring to masses of red-brown dinoflagellates found clustering in surface water bodies. iii) Desmids: These represent the freshwater photo-synthesizers, which are closely associated with green seaweeds. They bear a resemblance to little miniature barbells or green cylinders and are mostly found in rivers and lakes. ANIMAL PLANKTON (ZOOPLANKTON) The Zooplankton serves as a bridge between the plant plankton, which are food producers, and the larger sea animals. Size has been found to play a major role when it comes to the survival in the sea, with the larger sized planktons getting an advantage over the small sized. Here, the single –celled animal plankton feed on plant plankton or even sometimes ingest one another (Plankton.1976). The larger or multi celled zooplanktons such as crustaceans, jelly fish and arrow worm will in turn feed on these single celled Zooplanktons and later serve as food source to the squids, fish, sea birds and marine mammals. PREDATORY PLANKTON Radiolarian and foraminifera form part of the predatory, single celled Zooplanktons. They are comprised of foraminifera (calcium carbonate) and radiolarian (silica) shells. Their shape and sizes vary significantly and may appear in colonies. Over 1000 foraminifera and 150 radiolarian species are in existence, most of which can be found in New Zealand waters (Birdsong,1991).These organisms feed by stretching their sticky body parts via pores in their shells to capture passing victims. The predator planktons play a significant role when carrying out fossil study. Such is the case that their shells can be found easily preserved within sediments extracted from the ocean floor. PLANKTON OOZE Formed from tiny Skelton of calcareous ooze (foraminifera) or siliceous ooze(radiolarians and skeletons of diatoms).its formations takes long period , as it is said to take about 100 years to form just a millimeter (Evans, & Nichols, 1985). In New Zealand, the plankton ooze forms a vast area of the seabed. COPEPODS They are the most common among the animals within the plankton group. Animals found in this group are closely related to the Cray fish and crabs. They form part of food readily available for the young fish, particularly the hoki or Macruronus novaezelandiae (Zooplankton sampling, 1968). The adults in this group resemble the little shrimps, and are about pinhead size. Their life cycle is a bit complicated, as it consists of 6 larval and 5 juvenile moults; they depict very little similarity between the adults and the early larval forms. The copepods known to feed on plants are usually very energetic and will always consume phytoplankton equivalent to their weight. Taking advantage of their comb-like feeding parts, copepods will sweep food towards its mouth (Monastersky, 1987). From studies done, one copepod consumes close to 130, 0000 cells of plant planktons every day. Bacteria act on copepod faeces to release nutrients that get back into the water and help sustain phytoplankton. PLNAKTONS FEEDING MECHANISMS Planktons present a more complex feeding mechanism than what one may expect. This follows the vast diversities occurring in the plankton species and even sub –species. Emerging studies have successfully revealed that other than plant and animal planktons other types of plankton do exist. The studies further suggest the existence of thousands of species and sub species within the additional plankton species. Scientist working on these group of organisms have discovered more than five thousands phytoplankton species not to mention the over tens of thousands of Zooplankton. Such is the case that Phytoplankton, being a plant, will work just like any other plant to obtain food. Here, the sun serves as the major source of nutrition. Through the process of photosynthesis, the phytoplankton absorbs light and use the energy obtained to make food (carbohydrates), a factor that makes it remain strong for as long as sunlight is present (Russell, & Tattersall, 1930-1935).. Planktons inhabiting hidden parts such as the sea depths where sunlight cannot penetrate properly trap the minimum amount of sunlight obtainable and use it to make food. Zooplankton, termed as the most prolific when comparing the two types in existence, feed on phytoplankton. A number of the Zooplankton, especially the larger species, feed on other smaller Zooplanktons, a factor that earns them the predator position. REPRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE PLANKTONS Planktons depict reproduction processes that can be divided into two categories. First, the single celled microscopic Phytoplankton reproduces through cloning itself. In this case, a single celled phytoplankton splits to form two phytoplankton plants that are much alike. This presents one of the most efficient reproduction methods, as no female or male partners are involved. Here, the reproduction can be so rapid in the absence of inhibiting factors such as the marine creatures that feed on them (Richardson, 2004). Another kind of phytoplankton combine both the male and female features within their bodies while other reproduce through shedding of their filaments that will later grow to form fully matures planktons. In all these cases, the offspring s represents the clone of the original plant. On the other side, the Zooplankton depicts diverse reproduction system even in cases of simple types. A number of zooplankton types form the egg or larvae stage of larger sea animals, which grow and procreate in the same manner their parents did. Even with this information, it is true that some distinct zooplankton species undergo unique processes of reproduction. Such is the case that many different ways are presented by nature through which female zooplankton can be fertilized by sperm from the male zooplankton (Reynolds, 2006). Some species possess external appendages employed by the both the female and males to keep close during the process of sperm and egg uniting. In other Zooplankton species, eggs are released into the water to float until they unite with the sperm that is also released in the water. The last case represents the species that release the sperm and eggs concurrently into the water where they will unite. The major disparity between the methods of reproduction depicted by Zooplanktons and the phytoplankton is based on the idea that the former requires both the female and male partners while the other does not (Hans, 2005). In the case of the Zooplankton, the male contribute the sperm and the female an egg, just like in many mammals and other living organisms. PLANKTON LIFESPAN The life span of plankton cannot be evaluated satisfactorily owing to the fact that there exist a wide range of species and sub species within this category. However, scanty information point to the fact that Zooplankton lifespan depend largely on the organism size, I.e. “the bigger the organism the longer the lifespan of the species.” This study further suggests that Zooplankton depict a lifespan that ranges from few months to a period slightly longer than a year (Duncan, & Robb 1999). In some case, especially with regard to single cell planktons that reproduce by splitting, it becomes impossible to evaluate their lifespan, as they undergo the dividing after every few hour s or in some cases days. THE ROLE OF PHYTOPLANKTON IN THE ECOSYSTEM Planktons, especially the phytoplankton play a significant role in the ecosystem. Such is the case that phytoplankton possess the unique capability of absorbing carbon dioxide and at the same time releases oxygen to the atmosphere while undergoing the process of food production termed as photosynthesis (Raymont, 1963). For this reason, the phytoplankton work alongside other planet’s plants constantly replenishing the oxygen deemed important for life. Actually, phytoplankton is said to be responsible for about half of the earth’s oxygen replenishment (Capturing plankton power. 2004). Another important role played by phytoplankton regards the oceanic food chain. Here, the phytoplankton serves as a key element that supports other marine life, especially considering the fact that it comes in range of sizes. The whale shark, considered the biggest oceanic animal, has been said to depend primarily on plankton, a factor that makes it an important part of the marine life. The filter feeders form the plankton primary consumers (Birge, & Juday 1922). They feed through filtration of water via their mouths while ingesting the food substance that remains. The filter feeders include all the species forming the larger fish mammals and squid species. Considering the fact that planktons form the food chain base in of the ocean, it is obvious that their supply within the pelagic water column region affects the balance of energy depicted in the aquatic ecosystem. In conclusion, the planktons play a major role in supporting the earth’s ecosystem. Plankton, which come into distinct categories form an important part of the ecosystem. For instance the phytoplankton, which go unnoticed by many, play the biggest role at the base of the food chain, a role that contributes to sustenance of many other life within and even outside the sea. References Birdsong, R. S. (1991). Zooplankton. S.l.: s.n. Birge, E. A., & Juday, C. (1922). The plankton. Madison: The State. Bolli, H. M., Saunders, J. B., & Nielsen, K. (1985). Plankton stratigraphy. Cambridge [Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press. Boney, A. D. (1975). Phytoplankton. London: Edward Arnold. Cable, L. E. (1966). Plankton. 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Plentiful Plankton Noticed at Last. Science News, 17, 8. New Plankton Research Research from University of Liverpool Described.. (2011, April 21). Food Weekly News, 6, 2. Plankton. (1976). Corvallis, Or.: Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program, Extension Service, Oregon State University. Raymont, J. E. (1963). Plankton and productivity in the oceans. Oxford: Pergamon Press. Reynolds, C. S. (2006). Ecology of phytoplankton. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Richardson, A. J. (2004, September 10). Climate impact on plankton ecosystems in the Northeast Atlantic.(Reports). Science, 18, 5. Russell, F. S., & Tattersall, W. M. (1930-1935). The zooplankton. London: British Museum (Natural History). Tomas, C. R., & Hasle, G. R. (1997). Identifying marine phytoplankton. San Diego: Academic Press. Zooplankton sampling. (1968). Paris: Unesco. Distribution, a. i. (n.d.). Ocean News | Issue 7 | Climate Change. OceanLink | Marine Sciences Education and Fun. Retrieved April 8, 2013, from http://oceanlink.island.net/ONews/ONews7/plankton.html Read More