According to NOAA, NASA, and research published in journals like Nature, phytoplankton—tiny marine algae—are responsible for producing about 50% to 80% of Earth’s oxygen through photosynthesis.
These organisms, including cyanobacteria, diatoms, and seaweed, form the base of the oceanic food web and thrive near the ocean surface, where sunlight can reach.
Land plants, including forests, contribute the remaining oxygen, but marine sources dominate due to their vast global coverage and rapid reproduction.
Key Facts:
Phytoplankton are microscopic, unlike larger seaweeds but are extremely abundant.
One genus, Prochlorococcus, is estimated to contribute up to 20% of the global oxygen supply alone.
Oceans cover 71% of the planet, supporting the dominance of marine photosynthesis.
Sources: NASA Earth Observatory, NOAA, Nature, PNAS
According to NOAA, NASA, and research published in journals like Nature, phytoplankton—tiny marine algae—are responsible for producing about 50% to 80% of Earth’s oxygen through photosynthesis.
These organisms, including cyanobacteria, diatoms, and seaweed, form the base of the oceanic food web and thrive near the ocean surface, where sunlight can reach.
Land plants, including forests, contribute the remaining oxygen, but marine sources dominate due to their vast global coverage and rapid reproduction.
Key Facts:
Phytoplankton are microscopic, unlike larger seaweeds but are extremely abundant.
One genus, Prochlorococcus, is estimated to contribute up to 20% of the global oxygen supply alone.
Oceans cover 71% of the planet, supporting the dominance of marine photosynthesis.
Sources: NASA Earth Observatory, NOAA, Nature, PNAS
