Chatham Islands & Phytoplankton Bloom

Category: Geography / Environment / Oceanography / Climate Science

Chatham Islands

  • Located in the South Pacific Ocean.

  • Part of New Zealand.

  • Located east of New Zealand.

Phytoplankton

Microscopic photosynthetic organisms found mainly in aquatic ecosystems.

Importance

Phytoplankton:

  • Perform photosynthesis.

  • Produce a significant share of global oxygen.

  • Form the base of many marine food webs.

  • Participate in the global carbon cycle.

Phytoplankton Bloom

A rapid increase in phytoplankton concentration.

Possible causes:

  • Nutrient availability

  • Sunlight

  • Temperature

  • Ocean currents

  • Upwelling.

UPSC Link

Phytoplankton → marine food web + carbon cycle + ocean productivity.