noun
- Plural of microplankton; microscopic organisms that drift in water bodies, including bacteria, protozoans, and small algae that form the base of aquatic food chains.
Usage: technical; biology; ecology
Examples
- Microplanktons are essential to ocean ecosystems because they produce oxygen and serve as food for larger organisms.
- Scientists study microplanktons to understand water quality and nutrient cycles in lakes.
- The abundance of microplanktons in the sample indicated a healthy marine environment.
- Microplanktons can be observed only under a microscope due to their tiny size.
- Climate change affects the distribution and composition of microplanktons in polar regions.