Earthmover
Posted by Stefan in on May 16, 2005
Q: We were talking about food chains and Jerry wanted to know:
How does the sun's energy get to plants that are under water?
A: Another really thoughtful question!
Sunlight penetrates (goes through) the water enough for plants to make their own food but the deeper one goes, less and less light can reach the plants. In areas where the water is especially clear, plants can grow in rather deep depths. In waters that are rather murky, plants can only grow near the surface where enough light can get to them.
Most of the world's oxygen is produced in the ocean by plants living near the surface. As you go deeper, however, the light fades and fewer and fewer plants can obtain enough sunlight to live. Even in the clearest water, once a certain depth is reached, no plants can survive since they need sunlight to make their own food.
Thanks so much for your question.
John Wiessinger ( May 16, 2005)