Earth's oxygen primarily comes from photosynthesis, carried out by plants and various microorganisms.
Scientists estimate that roughly half of the oxygen production on Earth comes from the ocean. The majority of this oceanic oxygen production is from:
- Oceanic plankton: These include drifting plants, algae, and some bacteria capable of photosynthesis.
- Prochlorococcus: This particular species is the smallest photosynthetic organism on Earth.
In summary, while land-based plants contribute significantly, the oceans play a crucial role in generating the oxygen we breathe, with plankton and specifically Prochlorococcus being major players.
