Plankton are microscopic organisms that drift in oceans and other water bodies. Holoplankton spend entire life cycle as plankton, meroplankton only part of life. Plankton are studied by planktology and individual organisms called plankters
Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy in plants. Plants use water, carbon dioxide, and minerals to produce oxygen and organic compounds. Without photosynthesis, Earth's atmosphere would become nearly oxygen-free
Mixotrophs use a combination of energy and carbon sources. More than half of microscopic plankton are mixotrophic. Can be eukaryotic or prokaryotic organisms. Can take advantage of different environmental conditions
Most oceans appear blue due to water's ability to absorb red light. Blue light penetrates up to 200 meters, while red light stays below 50 meters. Ocean color varies from blue to green, yellow, brown, or red
Atmospheric methane concentration has increased 160% since 1750. Global methane levels reached 1866 ppb in 2019, highest in 800,000 years. Methane contributes 23% of climate forcing and 3% of total GHG emissions
Hydrogen ion forms when hydrogen atom loses an electron. Hydrogen ion is positively charged and exists only in gaseous state. Bare hydrogen ion cannot exist freely in solution due to high charge density