The world's largest producer of oxygen is phytoplankton. These microscopic marine plants, algae, and some bacteria, are responsible for approximately 80% of the Earth's oxygen production through photosynthesis.
Understanding Phytoplankton's Role
Phytoplankton are tiny, plant-like organisms that live in the ocean. They use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and nutrients to create energy through photosynthesis, a process that also releases oxygen as a byproduct. Their immense numbers and global distribution make them the planet's primary oxygen source.
Several studies emphasize phytoplankton's crucial role:
- Up to 80% of Earth's oxygen: Research consistently shows that phytoplankton are responsible for a significant portion, up to 80%, of the planet's oxygen production (Witman, 2017; various sources linked above).
- Oceanic Plankton: The majority of oxygen production in the ocean comes from drifting plants, algae, and photosynthesizing bacteria (NOAA).
- Global Distribution: Phytoplankton inhabit all the world's oceans, contributing to oxygen production across the globe.
- Impact of Ocean Eddies: Ocean eddies, swirling currents, play a role in phytoplankton populations and, consequently, oxygen production (EOS).
While forests and other terrestrial plants also produce oxygen, their contribution is considerably smaller compared to the vast scale of phytoplankton's productivity. Estimates place the contribution of terrestrial plants at around 28% (Thomasnet). This significantly less than the contribution of phytoplankton.
It is important to note: The Amazon rainforest, while a vital ecosystem, does not produce 20% of the world's oxygen as is sometimes claimed (National Geographic). The balance between oxygen production and consumption within the rainforest is significant.
The production of oxygen by Air Liquide's plants, while impressive on an industrial scale, is negligible when compared to the natural production by phytoplankton.
