Your Guide to
Florida's Freshwaters

This is part of the online and extended version of the UF/DEP booklet,

Florida's Freshwater Guide
A booklet and web site about our
Lakes, Ponds, Rivers, Springs, Marshes and Swamps
Table of contents

You have clicked on the subject:

Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton are microscopic, free-floating aquatic plant-like organisms suspended in the water column. They are sometimes called planktonic algae or just algae. Though individual phytoplankton are tiny in size, they can have a major influence on a waterbody. For example, phytoplankton abundance often determines how biologically productive a waterbody can be; small amounts of phytoplankton often result in less fish and wildlife. Also, the public is concerned about the abundance of phytoplankton, because it significantly affects water clarity.

Aquatic scientists assess phytoplankton abundance by estimating its biomass. This is known as relative abundance. Two common methods used are: (1) viewing phytoplankton through a microscope and counting each organism, and (2) measuring chlorophyll concentrations in water samples. Florida LAKEWATCH uses the chlorophyll method because it's faster and less costly.

See Algae and Chlorophyll

Other Useful Web Sites about phytoplankton in Florida

Home Page

Your Guide toFlorida's Freshwaters

Phytoplankton

Your Guide to
Florida's Freshwaters