ScienceJuly 14, 2026
phytoplankton
/ˌfaɪtoʊˈplæŋktən/
Definition
Microscopic, plant-like marine organisms that drift in water and are capable of photosynthesis.
Etymology
The word is derived from the Greek 'phyton' (plant) and 'planktos' (wandering/drifting). It was coined in the late 19th century to describe the drifting plant life that forms the foundation of aquatic food webs.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe a 'gleaming halo' of these organisms captured by a satellite in the waters surrounding the Chatham Islands, demonstrating how their collective presence can be observed from space.
Space shuttle photobombs Earth for the final time, 15 years ago — Earth from space
Read the full article ↗Live Science