Witness one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena: a vast migration of minuscule plankton ascending from the depths of the ocean towards the surface. Despite lacking limbs for propulsion, these organisms defy gravity in a mysterious way.
“This is truly remarkable,” remarks Andre Visser, an esteemed oceanographer at the Technical University of Denmark in Kongens Lyngby. “They have presented a groundbreaking theory on how these cells manage to remain buoyant and near the surface.”
Researchers ventured 160 kilometers off Hawaii’s coast to study Pyrocystis noctiluca, tiny unicellular phytoplankton measuring just 1 millimeter in length. These bioluminescent creatures embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey from 125 meters deep to around 50 meters, where sunlight is abundant for photosynthesis. Unlike zooplankton that make this trip daily, phytoplankton can spend days on their upward trek.
In their laboratory experiments, scientists utilized advanced microscopes to simulate the movement of phytoplankton ascending through water columns. “It’s akin to a virtual reality experience for single cells,” explains Prakash.
2024-10-17 10:00:00
Originally posted on www.sciencenews.org