Weekend #Plankton Factoid
Plankton is fundamental to the functioning of aquatic #ecosystems. An example was seen in the 2013 deaths of #Florida bottlenose dolphins. Dense harmful phytoplankton #blooms from excess nutrients in the Indian River lagoon shaded out seagrass and shifted the composition of forage fishes from Ladyfish to the not as energy rich Sea Bream. The #dolphins became malnourished and more susceptible to stress from toxins and #ClimateChange. #Science
https://www.frontiersin.org/news/2025/04/07/phytoplankton-bloom-starving-dolphins-florida-frontiers-marine-science