Virtual Museum of Canada

WATERS OF LIFE

LIFE UNDERWATER

PLANKTON - PHYTOPLANKTON

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Microscopic photo of the alga Cocconeis

Phytoplankton, or vegetable plankton, is composed of unicellular and multicellular algae, alone or in colonies.

Microscopic photo of the alga Cymbella

Cymbella = 0.07 mm

Algae come in a wide variety of forms: they can be star-shaped, round or filamentous.

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Microscopic photo of the alga Cosmarium

Cosmarium = 0.04 to 0.2 mm

This is a microscopic view of the green alga Cosmarium.

Aquatic plants in Saint-François Bay

Saint-François Bay

They can be of microscopic size or grow up to several metres long.

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LIFE UNDERWATER

PLANKTON - PHYTOPLANKTON