Marine Biology

Introduction

The term ‘plankton’ was first used by a German Scientist, Victor Hensen (1887).  The word plankton is derived from the Greek word ‘planktos’, meaning for wanderer or drifters.  Plankton form the major component of pelagic life in the oceans and on which all the marine life depends. These organisms are free floating with limited locomotory powers and are transported horizontally with the mercy of the prevailing water movements such as tides, waves and currents. Plankton are often used as indicator of environmental and aquatic health because of their high sensitivity to changes such as eutrophication and pollution with their short life span.