neuston

American  

[noo-ston, nyoo-] / ˈnu stɒn, ˈnyu- /

noun

1. the aggregate of minute aquatic organisms that float or swim in the surface film of a body of water.

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neuston British  

/ ˈnjuːstən /

noun

1. organisms, similar to plankton, that float on the surface film of open water

2. the ecosystem of the surface film of open water in which such organisms as copepods graze on tiny flagellates, bacteria, etc

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Other Word Forms

• neustic adjective
• neustonic adjective

Etymology

Origin of neuston

1925–30; < German; noun use of neuter of Greek neustós swimming, verbid of neîn to swim

Example Sentences

The second one involved neuston nets towed at the surface to take samples at nine stations.

From Science Daily

While removing ocean plastic is important, Helm says, she worries about how this technology is affecting the assemblage of marine life living at the ocean’s surface, which is known collectively as the neuston.

From Slate

Egger co-authored a study in 2021 which found that there is a higher plastic-to-organism ratio of neuston inside the Great Pacific Garbage Patch area than outside of it.

From Slate

Despite these findings, the nonprofit’s website states that their technology will still have “negligible to low” impact on the neuston, a conclusion that the group says is supported by samples they collected around the system in their most recent environmental impact assessment.

From Slate

However, some scientists are skeptical that plastic-removal device companies can claim a minimal impact on neuston given how much we still don’t know about these organisms.

From Slate