Plankton means “drifter.” They are the foundation of the ocean food web. Plankton float on the ocean’s surface. Plant-like plankton (phytoplankton) produce much of the Earth’s oxygen and serves as the base of the ocean ecosystem. Plankton flourish in areas where nutrient rich water upwells from the deep. Phytoplankton are eaten by animal-like plankton (zooplankton), swimming organisms (nekton), and the things that on the ocean bottom (benthos). Examples of plankton include algae, krill, copepods, and jellyfish. 
Ocean Resources and People’s Impact on the Ocean
The oceans contain huge amounts of natural resources. Fish and shellfish provide food for many people. People also eat some kinds of sea plants and make products from sea plants. Mineral deposits are found underwater as well as petroleum and natural gas. People even use salt and the water from the world’s oceans. The salt is removed from seawater by desalination.
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