How does zoo plankton help recycle ocean resources?

Zooplankton play a crucial role in recycling ocean resources by serving as a key component of the marine food web. They consume phytoplankton and organic matter, breaking it down into smaller particles that can be further decomposed by bacteria. This process releases nutrients back into the water, promoting primary productivity and supporting larger marine animals. Additionally, zooplankton contribute to the biological carbon pump by transporting carbon to deeper ocean layers when they die and sink, thus helping to regulate global carbon cycles.