Building blocks of ocean food web in rapid decline as plankton productivity plunges

[applegrove]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/ocean-phytoplankton-zooplankton-food-web-1.4927884

Jane Adey · CBC News · 


"SNIP.....

They're teeny, tiny plants and organisms but their impact on ocean life is huge.​

Phytoplankton and zooplankton that live near the surface are the base of the ocean's food system. Everything from small fish, big fish, whales and seabirds depend on their productivity.

"They actually determine what's going to happen, how much energy is going to be available for the rest of the food chain," explained Pierre Pepin, a senior researcher with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in St. John's.

Pepin says over the past three to four years, scientists have seen a persistent drop in phytoplankton and zooplankton in waters off Newfoundland and Labrador.

......SNIP"

[hatrack]

1. And in case you're thinking "Oh no! Tuna! Halibut!", bear one thing in mind . . .

Marine plankton is the source of between 50% and 80% of Earth's oxygen.

https://earthsky.org/earth/how-much-do-oceans-add-to-worlds-oxygen

[applegrove]

2. My god.

[Mr. Quackers]

3. Soylent Green will be next

right after ocean nutrient depletion.