1. Major groups of Phytoplankton
DIATOMS
DINOFLAGELLATES
COCCOLITHOPHORES

2. Diatoms Microscopic; extremely abundant
Important food source for marine organisms
Single-cells, chain, loose “clusters”
Oil droplets in cell slow sinking
Asterionella – a colony of pennate diatoms; photo by Jan Parmentier
Centriclive diatom

3. Photo Credit: Dr. Neil Sullivan, University of Southern Calif. /
Diatoms (Division Chrysophyta)
Photo Credit: Dr. Neil Sullivan, University of Southern Calif. /
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration / Dept. of Commerce

4. Coscinodiscus http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/images/di/img/chloro.jpg

5. Chain Diatoms
Photo by George Rowland
Diatomaceous Earth – silicaceous shells piled up over millions of years – used for Paint, Silver Polish, Filters, Insulation

6. Responsible for = red tides, bioluminescence Noctiluca = “night light”
Dinoflagellates
Microscopic
Mostly unicellular
Responsible for = red tides, bioluminescence
Noctiluca = “night light”
Noctiluca Bloom
Photo Credit: PJS Franks (Photographer) / National Ocean Service Photo Gallery
Photo by George Rowland

7. Florida Red Tide Bloom of Karenia brevis
In addition to adverse health effects, harmful algal blooms are responsible for the loss of millions of dollars from commercial and recreational fisheries and from tourist industries.
Florida Red Tide Bloom of Karenia brevis

8. Florida Coastal Zone Scanner Image of Karenia brevis bloom in Nov 1978

9. Coccolithophores
One-celled marine plants - live in large numbers, can make water appear milky or chalky
Live near surface in brightly lit areas
Calcareous ooze = White Cliffs of Dover
Alaska and the Bering Sea from SeaWiFS on April 25, The bright aquamarine water is caused by the huge numbers of coccolithophores. This bloom was present in 1997 and 1998, and appears to be re-occuring in (Image courtesy Norman Kuring, SeaWiFS Project)
Earthobservatory.nasa.gov/library/coccolithophores

10. Coccolithophores Emiliania huxleyi & Syracosphaera molischi
Scanning electron photography by Vita Pariente. Microscopy was done at the
Electron Microscopy Center, Texas A&M University.

11. White Cliffs
of Dover
Photo Credit: Dover District Council