Phytoplankton get their energy from the sun through the process of photosynthesis. They use the energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. The amount of energy they receive from the sun depends on various factors such as the intensity and duration of sunlight, as well as the depth at which they are located in the water column. However, it is estimated that phytoplankton capture approximately 1% of the total solar energy that reaches the Earth's surface.
