About:

Phytoplankton are tiny plants drifting in the oceans. Most of them are so small, you need a microscope to see them. They are at the bottom of the food chain providing food for a range of marine creatures, from zooplankton to basking sharks.

How to identify:

<p>There are lots of different types of phytoplankton, To find out more, visit the <a href="http://www.planktonpundit.org/" target="_blank">Plankton Pundit website</a>.</p>

Where:

Phytoplankton are found in the seas all around our coast and around the world. They are found in freshwater as well. Phytoplankton blooms in the UK in the spring and late summer.

Fantastic facts:

Large numbers of phytoplankton are what gives the sea its green hue, because of the chlorophyll pigment present in the phytoplankton cells. Phytoplankton are responsible for producing 50% of the oxygen on the planet.