nanoplankton

1 9.4

Very small organisms that float in water, about 2 to 20 micrometres long

noun
/ˌnænoʊˈplæŋktən/

Specialized

: nanoplancton

The water sample contained a surprising amount of nanoplankton, indicating high productivity in the area.

Examples

Since the minimum threshold appears to be a function of fish size, the abundant 40-90 mm FL juveniles present in estuarine systems during spring and summer probably take advantage of the predominating primary productivity occurring within the nanoplankton segment of the plankton community.

Academic text (1991)
Have you found my nanoplankton yet?

Nim's Island (2008)
He's obsessed with nanoplankton, the tiniest little particles in the ocean.

Nim's Island (2008)
Scientists study nanoplankton because they play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems.
Researchers discovered new species of nanoplankton during their expedition in the deep sea.

Synonyms

plankton

vsnanoplankton

Specialized

19 4.2

Small plants and animals that float in sea or fresh water and feed many larger animals

is a tiny subgroup of organisms defined by size between 2 and 20 micrometers

How Small

nanoplankton

Specialized

1 9.4

microplankton

Specialized

1 7.4

Surface Forms

nanoplankton singular

nanoplanktons plural

Morphology

nanoplankton = plankton (transparent) = nano + plankton

The word is a straightforward prefixation of 'nano-' meaning very small with 'plankton'.

Etymology

Nanoplankton comes from the parts nano- meaning 'very small', as in nanometer, and plankton meaning 'drifters' in the sea, so it means 'very small drifters'. That's why nanoplankton are tiny floating organisms found in water and important at the start of many food chains.