".but is that only for the marine life or do us humans benefit too? "
Yes. It is estimated that 50 to 80% of our oxygen comes from phytoplankton. Oxygen is not very soluble in water. Much of what is produced ends up bubbling out of the water.
The process phytoplankton uses to produce oxygen is called photosynthesis. It's the same process land plants use to do it.
The planktons make oxygen because it breaths CO2. CO2 is 1 carbon atom and 2 oxygen atoms. So when the planktons get the CO2, it gets ONLY the carbon atom and leaves the oxygen atoms as a form as waste. The waste of the plankton is the benifeit of the animals on earth.
What albert saied is correct
Humans benefit too :) In fact, 50 to 85 percent of the oxygen in our atmosphere is produced by phytoplankton! The oxygen produced can't stay dissolved in the ocean because there is simply too much, so it disperses into the atmosphere. Think of it this way: if you shake or stir soda, it fizzes and excess gases are released, right? The oxygen that is dissolved in ocean waters works similarly. Hope I helped! :)
I know plankton only takes CO2 and leaves O...but is that only for the marine life or do us humans benefit too? how does the oxygen that plankton produces travel to us? thanks!
