How Do Phytoplankton Rule the World?

Photo Credit:
Prof. Gordon Taylor, Stony Brook University

Camden/Rockport, Maine - Marine biologist Ivona Cetinic will lead a presentation on phytoplankton and their effects on global systems at Merryspring Nature Center on Tuesday, March 10 at 12:00 pm.

Phytoplankton are photosynthesizing microorganisms that live in our oceans, seas, and lakes. Despite being so small, phytoplankton have a huge effect on our world. Not only are these tiny drifters the backbone of the oceanic food chain, they are responsible for regulating carbon the carbon cycle in our waterways, and even contribute much of the atmosphere’s oxygen. Ivona’s presentation will elaborate how important phytoplankton are to our world, as well as how harmful they can be if their populations go out of control through algae blooms due to rising ocean temperatures and pollution.

Ivona Cetinic is a Research Associate at the Perry Phytoplankton & Optics Lab at the University of
Maine Darling Marine Center. She has a PhD in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography from the University of Southern California – Los Angeles, and a BS in Biology from University of Zagreb in Croatia.

The Winter Talk series is co-sponsored by Allen Insurance & Financial, and Farley & Son Landscaping. Tuesday Talks are open to the public for $5, with free admittance for Merryspring members.

 Merryspring is a member-supported, non-profit nature education center and park located at the end of Conway Road just off Rt. 1 by the Hannaford shopping plaza in Camden. For more information, call Merryspring at 236-2239, email info@merryspring.org or visit our website at www.merryspring.org.