: One of the most abundant photosynthetic organisms on Earth; it is estimated that one out of every five breaths we take originates from this single genus of bacteria.
The ocean is far more than just a body of water; it is often referred to as the "lungs of the planet," responsible for producing roughly of the world's oxygen . While the vast majority of this comes from surface-level photosynthesis, recent groundbreaking discoveries have revealed that the deep ocean also produces its own "dark oxygen". 1. The Surface Engine: Photosynthesis Oxygene - The Ocean
: Like land plants, phytoplankton use sunlight, carbon dioxide ( CO2cap C cap O sub 2 : One of the most abundant photosynthetic organisms
The primary source of ocean oxygen is microscopic organisms known as . These tiny, plant-like drifters live in the "photic zone"—the top 200 meters of the ocean where sunlight can reach. : Single-celled algae that also contribute significantly to
: Single-celled algae that also contribute significantly to the oxygen cycle. Does the ocean produce oxygen?
), and water to create energy, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. :