Planktology

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pre-Darwin
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Planktology is the study of plankton, various microorganisms that inhabit bodies of water. The field encompasses a variety of topics, including primary production, and energy flow. The carbon cycle is a recent area of interest.

Composed image of phytoplankton and zooplankton

Plankton drive the "biological pump", a process by which the ocean ecosystem transports carbon from the surface euphotic zone to the ocean's interior. Such processes are vital to carbon dioxide sinks, one of several possibilities for countering global warming. Modern planktology includes behavioral aspects of the microorganisms, engaging modern in situ imaging devices.

Some planktology projects allow the public to participate online, such as the Longterm Ecological Observatory.