Oxygene - The Ocean May 2026

: Like land plants, phytoplankton use sunlight, carbon dioxide ( CO2cap C cap O sub 2

), and water to create energy, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. : Oxygene - The Ocean

: Single-celled algae that also contribute significantly to the oxygen cycle. Does the ocean produce oxygen? : Like land plants, phytoplankton use sunlight, carbon

The ocean is far more than just a body of water; it is often referred to as the "lungs of the planet," responsible for producing roughly of the world's oxygen . While the vast majority of this comes from surface-level photosynthesis, recent groundbreaking discoveries have revealed that the deep ocean also produces its own "dark oxygen". 1. The Surface Engine: Photosynthesis : Like land plants