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Primary Production

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The total amount of energy acquired by primary producers in an ecosystem is called gross primary production (GPP). However, of this energy, producers use some for metabolic processes, and some is lost as heat, decreasing the amount of energy available to the next trophic level. The remaining usable amount of energy is called the net primary productivity (NPP). In terrestrial ecosystems, NPP is driven by climate, while light penetration and nutrient availability drive NPP in aquatic ecosystems.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Small Volume (1-3L) Filtration of Coastal Seawater Samples

Small Volume (1-3L) Filtration of Coastal Seawater Samples

Published on: June 19, 2009

Small phytoplankton and carbon export from the surface ocean.

Tammi L Richardson¹, George A Jackson

¹Marine Sciences Program and Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. richardson@biol.sc.edu

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|February 10, 2007

Summary

Autotrophic picoplankton are key to ocean primary production. Our study shows their contribution to carbon export is proportional to their production, challenging previous assumptions about small phytoplankton.

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Area of Science:

Marine microbial ecology
Ocean biogeochemical cycling
Phytoplankton productivity

Background:

Autotrophic picoplankton are major contributors to oceanic primary production, especially in vast, low-nutrient regions.
Picoplankton were traditionally considered to have a minor role in carbon export due to their small size.
Understanding the contribution of all phytoplankton sizes to carbon export is crucial for accurate oceanographic models.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the contribution of autotrophic picoplankton to carbon export in the ocean.
To determine if picoplankton's export contribution is linked to their primary production rates.
To re-evaluate the role of small phytoplankton in oceanic carbon cycling.

Main Methods:

Analysis of existing datasets from the equatorial Pacific Ocean and the Arabian Sea.
Quantification of picoplankton's net primary production.
Assessment of the direct and indirect contributions of picoplankton to carbon export.

Main Results:

The relative contribution of picoplankton to carbon export was found to be directly proportional to their total net primary production.
This relationship held true despite the small size of picoplankton.
Data suggests picoplankton play a more significant role in carbon export than previously assumed.

Conclusions:

Autotrophic picoplankton contribute to ocean carbon export at rates proportional to their primary production.
All sizes of primary producers, including picoplankton, can be significant contributors to the biological carbon pump.
Future oceanographic models should incorporate the export potential of picoplankton based on their production levels.