Phytoplankton are microscopic marine plants that perform photosynthesis. They are responsible for removing the majority of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to the ocean. Phytoplankton prefer cooler water temperatures. With the increasing ocean temperatures, phytoplankton are traveling to cooler areas in the ocean. Phytoplankton are important to the marine food web. Many marine primary consumers rely on phytoplankton. Since phytoplankton remove more than half of the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and perform photosynthesis then they are responsible for releasing around 60%-70% of what essential element back into the atmosphere?
Responses
A oxygenoxygen
B nitrogennitrogen
C carbon dioxidecarbon dioxide
D carbon monoxide