Marine Life Talk: 'Phytoplankton and the global ocean'  Seminar

Derived from the greek words phyto (plant) and plankton (made to wander or drift), they are just like land plants, as they have chlorophyll which is used to capture sunlight and undergo photosynthesis.

The ability of phytoplankton to photosynthesize means they draw down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and produce oxygen. These organisms also form the base of most marine food webs. Indeed, the ancestors of the modern day phytoplankton are responsible for first evolving the ability to photosynthesise and produce oxygen, which changed our world forever.

The role of marine scientists is to understand how these plants have evolved in such a diverse array of species today. Scientists are also trying to understand the role these organisms play in mitigating climate change, particularly what controls the timing and effectiveness of large phytoplankton blooms. As just like land plants, they require a variety of different nutrients to grow, such as nitrate and iron, and these nutrients are not distributed evenly throughout the ocean.

Further information

This talk is open to members of the public, staff and students. Admission is free.

Visitors attending the talk should arrive at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton at 7.15pm to be met in Reception.

The National Oceanography Centre Southampton can be reached via Dock Gate 4 (between Town Quay and Ocean Village).

Arrangements for wheelchairs must be made in advance. Unless it is possible to descend via the stairs in an emergency, access to upper floors cannot be permitted as lifts are automatically immobilised when the fire alarm is activated.