What is phytoplankton and where do you find it?

You've probably heard of spirulina and chlorella, but are you familiar with phytoplankton? These microscopic algae provide 70% of all the oxygen on earth. They are also packed with nutrients that your body can put to good use. But what exactly does phytoplankton do? And is a plankton supplement really healthy? We dive deep into it!

What is phytoplankton?

Phytoplankton are microscopic organisms that float freely in seawater. The word "phytoplankton" comes from the Greek "phyton" (plant) and "planktos" (floating). So they are actually floating plants, so small that you can only see them with a microscope!

These tiny algae are among the oldest life forms on Earth. They are the very first life form that began to produce oxygen. Thus, without phytoplankton, life on Earth would not have been possible. They float on the surface of the water because they need sunlight for photosynthesis, just like ordinary plants. Through this process, they absorb CO2 from the seawater and return oxygen. Still they produce 70% of all the oxygen we breathe!

The special thing about phytoplankton is their size. They are so small (between 0.2 and 200 micrometers) that they can pass directly through your cell membranes. This makes them unique among superfoods.

What plants fall under phytoplankton?

Phytoplankton is not a single species, but a large group of very small organisms that all live in seawater. Even though you cannot see them with the naked eye, they are everywhere. Sometimes as many as 100 million per liter of seawater! Phytoplankton has several main species:

• Cyanobacteria: these are actually bacteria that act like plants. They make oxygen and have been around for a long time. Some give the water a blue-green color.
• Dinoflagellates: these can propel themselves with tiny whip tails. A few species can light up at night, creating that beautiful blue light you sometimes see in warm seas.
• Diatoms: have a kind of glass shell around them with beautiful patterns. They make a lot of oxygen and are full of silicon.
• Coccolithophores: small organisms that wrap themselves in calcareous scales. They help absorb CO2 from the water.

The color of seawater depends on how much phytoplankton it contains. Lots of phytoplankton makes the water greener, little phytoplankton gives that deep blue ocean water. In supplements, you usually get a mix of different species (each with their own valuable compounds).

What is phytoplankton good for? 

Phytoplankton is one of nature's most complete sources of nutrition. In a small spoonful, you already get many valuable nutrients for which you would normally have to eat several foods! The special thing about phytoplankton is that it is much smaller than other algae, which makes it easier for your body to absorb the nutrients.

Phytoplankton is packed with omega-3 fatty acids (especially EPA and DHA), B vitamins including the rare B12, and minerals such as iron, magnesium and trace elements from seawater. The protein content is also particularly high, with all the essential amino acids your body needs. It also contains natural substances such as chlorophyll and carotenoids.

What is the difference between spirulina and chlorella?

Spirulina and chlorella grow in freshwater; phytoplankton comes from the ocean. Because of this, phytoplankton contains different minerals and naturally has much more omega-3 fatty acids (something freshwater algae hardly have). Whereas with spirulina and chlorella you get mostly protein, iron and chlorophyll, with phytoplankton you get a more complete mix including those valuable omega-3 fats from the ocean.

What is the nutrition of phytoplankton?

Phytoplankton actually need very simple "food": sunlight for energy, CO2 from the seawater, and minerals floating freely in the ocean. They make their own food through photosynthesis, just as plants on land do.

From phytoplankton to omega-3

Phytoplankton itself is on the menu of many marine animals. The smallest inhabitants begin: sponges and mussels filter billions of phytoplankton out of the water. Small crustaceans and shrimp greedily bite away at them. These in turn are eaten by young fish, which in turn are food for larger fish.

So the food chain climbs all the way up to whales and sharks, all dependent on these tiny algae. All the fish we know for their omega-3s - from salmon to sardines - got these fatty acids through this natural food chain. 

With algal oil, you skip these intermediate steps and go directly to the source. Because like phytoplankton, algae itself produces omega-3 via photosynthesis. So you benefit from the same nutritional power of the ocean, but in a form that suits you.

Omega-3 at Arctic Blue

At Arctic Blue, we understand the value of algae from the ocean. So we have high-quality algal oil and MSC-certified fish oil. Both benefit from the same natural omega-3 source as phytoplankton. You can order individual products from Arctic Blue or get a convenient subscription. 

Still have questions about our products? Are you curious about what we at Arctic Blue think is important and in what ways we care about the ocean? Then read one of our other blog articles!