What does phytoplankton feed on?

Answer:

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Since Phytoplankton contains 'phyto' and phyto means plant-like, phytoplankton produce food and do not need to eat. Phytoplankton are single-celled plants (algae) that live in the surface layers of the ocean. They obtain energy from the sun, and use it to combine atmospheric CO2 and water to make carbohydrates, using the process of photosynthesis. They do require 'nutrients' or fertilizers just like other plants - nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the major nutrients, while iron, magnesium, calcium, silicon, boron, cobalt and many others are called minor nutrients. The nutrient availability in the ocean determines the distribution of phytoplankton. When there are many available nutrients the phytoplankton can bloom over a large area. Where there are few available nutrients, phytoplankton are scarce.

Phytoplankton rely on minerals found in the water they live in, such as nitrate, silicic acid, phosphate, and iron. They absorb energy from sunlight through the process of photosynthesis. The energy from the sun allows the phytoplankton to convert the minerals in the water to a source of food they can use to live.