User:Alexandra.Roine/sandbox

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Classification
In general, plankton can be categorized on the basis of physiological, taxonomic, or dimensional characteristics. Subsequently, a generic classification of a plankton includes: However, there is a simpler scheme that categorizes plankton based on a logarithmic size scale: This was even further expanded to include picoplankton (0.2-2 μm) and fem-toplankton (0.02-0.2 μm), as well as net plankton, ultraplankton. Now that picoplankton have been characterized, they have their own further subdivisions such as prokaryotic and eukaryotic phototrophs and heterotrophs that are spread throughout the world in various types of lakes and tropic states. In order to differentiate between autotrophic picoplankton and heterotrophic picoplankton, the autotrophs could have photosynthetic pigments and the ability to show autofluorescence, which would allow for their enumeration under epifluorescence microscopy. This is how minute eukaryotes first became known. Overall, picoplankton play an essential role in oligotrophic dimicitc lakes because they are able to produce and then accordingly recycle dissolved organic matter (DOM) in a very efficient manner under circumstance when competition of other phytoplankters is disturbed by factors such as limiting nutrients and predators. Picoplankton are responsible for the most primary productivity in oligotrophic gyres, and are distinguished from nanoplankton and microplankton. Because they are small, they have a greater surface to volume ratio, enabling them to obtain the scarce nutrients in these ecosystems. Furthermore, some species can also be mixotrophic. The smallest of cells (200 nm) are on the order of nanometers, not picometers. The SI prefix pico- is used quite loosely here, as nanoplankton and microplankton are only 10 and 100 times larger, respectively, although it is somewhat more accurate when considering the volume rather than the length.
 * Bacterioplankton
 * Phytoplankton
 * Zooplankton
 * Macroplankton (200-2000 μm)
 * Micro-plankton (20-200 μm)
 * Nanoplankton (2-20 μm)

Role in ecosystems
Picoplankton contribute greatly to the biomass and primary production in both marine and freshwater lake ecosystems. In the ocean, the concentration of picoplankton is 105- 107 cells per millilitre of ocean water. Algal picoplankton is responsible for up to 90 percent of the total carbon production daily and annually in oligotrophic marine ecosystems. The amount of total carbon production by picoplankton in oligotrophic freshwater systems is also high, making up 70 percent of total annual carbon production. Marine picoplankton make up a higher percentage of biomass and carbon production in zones that are oligotrophic, like the open ocean, versus regions near the shore that are more nutrient rich. Their biomass and carbon production percentage also increases as the depth into the euphotic zone increases. This is due to their use of photopigments and efficiency at using blue-green light at these depths. Picoplankton population densities do not fluctuate throughout the year except in a few cases of smaller lakes where their biomass increases as the temperature of the lake water increases.

Picoplankton also play an important role in the microbial loop of these systems by aiding in providing energy to higher trophic levels They are grazed by a various number of bacteria such as flagellates, ciliates, rotifers and copepods. Flagellates are their main predator due to their ability to swim towards picoplankton in order to consume them.

Classification
In general, plankton can be categorized on the basis of physiological, taxonomic, or dimensional characteristics. Subsequently, a generic classification of a plankton includes: However, there is a simpler scheme that categorizes plankton based on a logarithmic size scale: This was even further expanded to include picoplankton (0.2-2 μm) and fem-toplankton (0.02-0.2 μm), as well as net plankton, ultraplankton. Now that picoplankton have been characterized, they have their own further subdivisions such as prokaryotic and eukaryotic phototrophs and heterotrophs that are spread throughout the world in various types of lakes and tropic states. In order to differentiate between autotrophic picoplankton and heterotrophic picoplankton, the autotrophs could have photosynthetic pigments and the ability to show autofluorescence, which would allow for their enumeration under epifluorescence microscopy. This is how minute eukaryotes first became known. Overall, picoplankton play an essential role in oligotrophic dimicitc lakes because they are able to produce and then accordingly recycle dissolved organic matter (DOM) in a very efficient manner under circumstance when competition of other phytoplankters is disturbed by factors such as limiting nutrients and predators. Picoplankton are responsible for the most primary productivity in oligotrophic gyres, and are distinguished from nanoplankton and microplankton. Because they are small, they have a greater surface to volume ratio, enabling them to obtain the scarce nutrients in these ecosystems. Furthermore, some species can also be mixotrophic. The smallest of cells (200 nm) are on the order of nanometers, not picometers. The SI prefix pico- is used quite loosely here, as nanoplankton and microplankton are only 10 and 100 times larger, respectively, although it is somewhat more accurate when considering the volume rather than the length.
 * Bacterioplankton
 * Phytoplankton
 * Zooplankton
 * Macroplankton (200-2000 μm)
 * Micro-plankton (20-200 μm)
 * Nanoplankton (2-20 μm)

Oceanic Environmental Contributions of Picoplankton
Picoplankton are very important in nutrient cycling in all major oceans, where they exist in their highest abundances. They have many features that allow them to survive in these oligotrophic and low-light regions, such as the use several nitrogen sources, including nitrate, ammonium, and urea. Their small size allows for efficient nutrient acquisition and organism growth.

Picoplankton play a significant role in the carbon production of open oceanic environments, which largely contributes to total global production. Their carbon production contributes to at least 10% of total global aquatic net primary productivity. Picoplankton are dominant in biomass in open ocean regions.

Picoplankton also form the base of aquatic microbial food webs and are a source of energy in the microbial loop.

Please note that there are a total of four sources for my edits; however, I have only added three. One of the sources was already a part of the article. I have added sources 5, 6, and 7.

Alexandra.Roine (talk) 03:16, 9 October 2017 (UTC)

Role in ecosystems
Picoplankton contribute greatly to the biomass and primary production in both marine and freshwater lake ecosystems. In the ocean, the concentration of picoplankton is 105- 107 cells per millilitre of ocean water. Algal picoplankton is responsible for up to 90 percent of the total carbon production daily and annually in oligotrophic marine ecosystems. The amount of total carbon production by picoplankton in oligotrophic freshwater systems is also high, making up 70 percent of total annual carbon production. Marine picoplankton make up a higher percentage of biomass and carbon production in zones that are oligotrophic, like the open ocean, versus regions near the shore that are more nutrient rich. Their biomass and carbon production percentage also increases as the depth into the euphotic zone increases. This is due to their use of photopigments and efficiency at using blue-green light at these depths. Picoplankton population densities do not fluctuate throughout the year except in a few cases of smaller lakes where their biomass increases as the temperature of the lake water increases.

Picoplankton also play an important role in the microbial loop of these systems by aiding in providing energy to higher trophic levels They are grazed by a various number of bacteria such as flagellates, ciliates, rotifers and copepods. Flagellates are their main predator due to their ability to swim towards picoplankton in order to consume them.

Oceanic Environmental Contributions of Picoplankton
Picoplankton are very important in nutrient cycling in all major oceans, where they exist in their highest abundances. They have many features that allow them to survive in these oligotrophic (low-nutrient) and low-light regions, such as the use several nitrogen sources, including nitrate, ammonium, and urea. Their small size and large surface area allows for efficient nutrient acquisition, incident light absorption, and organism growth. A small size also allows for minimal metabolic maintenance.

Picoplankton, specifically phototrophic picoplankton, play a significant role in the carbon production of open oceanic environments, which largely contributes to the total global carbon production. Their carbon production contributes to at least 10% of total global aquatic net primary productivity. High primary productivity contributions are made in both oligotrophic and deep zones in oceans. Picoplankton are dominant in biomass in open ocean regions.

Picoplankton also form the base of aquatic microbial food webs and are an energy source in the microbial loop. All trophic levels in a marine food web are affected by picoplankton carbon production and the gain or loss of picoplankton in the environment, especially in oligotrophic conditions. Marine predators of picoplankton include heterotrophic flagellates and ciliates. Protozoa are a dominant predator of picoplankton. Picoplankton are often lost through processes such as grazing, parasitism, and viral lysis.

Word Count: 212

Please note that there are a total of four sources for my edits; however, I have only added three. One of the sources was already a part of the article. I have added sources 13, 14, and 16. I have changed the location of my addition to come after "Role in Ecosystems", as it provides a more in-depth explanation of oceanic ecosystem roles. Upon looking at the Wikipedia page again, it seems as though the "Role in Ecosystems" page has been improved to include some of the information I intended to add.

Alexandra.Roine (talk) 04:41, 20 November 2017 (UTC)