The Sun and Phytoplankton
In The Sun and Phytoplankton, narrator Sir David Attenborough explains how the Sun's energy triggers the spring bloom of phytoplankton, a vital food source that sustains a wide variety of creatures in Alaska. This video is an excerpt from BBC’s Nature's Great Events, a documentary series that showcases some of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles on Earth, exploring how life adapts to natural events that can transform entire landscapes.
Lesson Express
Q: In what season does the Sun begin to warm the waters in Alaska?
A: The waters begin to warm in March, when spring begins.
Q: What nutrients cause a change in the ocean waters?
A: Phosphorus and nitrogen fuel changes in the water.
Q: What changes begin to happen in the sea?
A: The sea begins to come to life with phytoplankton starting to emerge.
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In Phytoplankton, the Life-Giving Force Beneath the Waves, geologist Iain Stewart explains how oceans are vital to life on Earth, especially because of tiny phytoplankton which produce 50% of the oxygen we breathe! These microscopic organisms feed sea creatures and help turn sunlight and carbon dioxide into energy. Oceans also have a vast network of currents that connect all the seas, proven when 29,000 rubber ducks drifted across the world, showing how these currents link every ocean. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Earth: The Power of the Planet, a documentary series in which Dr. Iain Stewart discovers how Earth's forces can shape nature, species, and even the climate.
In Why Acidic Seas Spell Trouble, geologist Iain Stewart explores how global warming is shaking up life in the ocean. In Palau, an ocean scientist shares the story of millions of golden jellyfish that vanished when the water’s temperature rose by a few degrees. Plus, learn how rising carbon dioxide is making the ocean more acidic, threatening coral reefs and the marine life that depends on them. The ocean is changing fast, and scientists are racing to understand what’s next for our planet's underwater world! This video is excerpted from BBC’s Earth: The Power of the Planet, a documentary series in which Dr. Iain Stewart discovers how Earth's forces can shape nature, species, and even the climate.
In Gray Whales and Their Long Migration, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes the gray whale’s long migration from Mexico to Alaska where they feed on krill. Whale cows must wait until their young are strong enough to make the journey. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Blue Planet, a definitive documentary series diving into the mysterious depths of the sea to discover the natural history of the world’s oceans and the rarely seen marine life that reside there.