microplankton

[mahy-kroh-plangk-tuhn]

noun

1. plankton visible as individual organisms only with the aid of a microscope, which excludes most animal plankton.

Word History and Origins

Origin of microplankton¹

First recorded in 1900–05; micro- + plankton

Example Sentences

Ocean microplankton called Acantharea use the element strontium to create intricate mineral skeletons.

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I. Microplankton community abundances and biomass.

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He cited one horrible example of a lead: "University of Washington scientists reported today experiments have shown that microplankton organisms act as radioactivity 'carriers' in Bikini waters, keeping the waters radioactive."

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How many readers, asked Dr. Flesch, know what "microplankton organisms" are?

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