Tropical forests, including the Amazon, are just one lung of our planet. We do not realize that the other lung, without which the balanced functioning of the Earth is not possible, are the oceans. Ocean waters absorb half of the CO2 emitted by humans. Oceans are also responsible for the production of 50% of oxygen into the atmosphere, which is just as much as terrestrial vegetation. Furthermore, oceanic photosynthesis and the absorption of carbon dioxide by aquatic microorganisms contribute to maintaining a moderate temperature in the atmosphere. The oceans help maintain a favorable temperature on the surface of the earth, while the temperature of their waters increases due to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. This and the increasing level of acidification means that underwater ecosystems are facing a threat. Coral reefs, fish and marine mammals are dying out. Phytoplankton is also at risk.
Phytoplankton are microscopic plant organisms that form the basis of the marine food chain. They are responsible for the assimilation of carbon dioxide and the production of oxygen in the atmosphere. They provides food for zooplankton, which fish feed on. Andrew Barton, an oceanographer and scientist at Princeton University, stated that since 1950, 40% of phytoplankton has died.
The photographs show selected species of phytoplankton (algae, cyanobacteria, diatoms) made of small pieces of plastic, brocade, which directly or indirectly (through the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere during the production of plastics) pose a huge threat to it.