Plankton information!

This week we learned alot about plankton, such as all the different types. For starters, the two main classifications of phytoplankton vs zooplankton. Phytoplankton are plants that use photosynthesis and are producers. Zooplankton are animals that feed on phytoplankton. Plankton are very important to the ecosystem because they are the very base of the food chain/web. Phytoplankton or algae, can create algae blooms, both beneficial and harmful to the environment. Harmful Algae blooms, HABs produce toxins that can harm both fish and humans. The Red tide is an example caused by phytoplankton. Two types of Phytoplankton are Diatoms and Dinoflagellates. Diatoms are single celled algae, and Dinoflagellates have qualities of both zooplankton and phytoplankton.

pictures: http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/images/0119-03.jpg