The Paradox of Plankton

I love paradox. Those mind-spinning conundrums that defy logic yet exist even so. There is this law in nature which works on the principle of competitive exclusion. In essence, if two species compete in the same environment for an identical set of needs and resources, only one will ultimately survive.

In the aquatic world, light is a precious commodity. It diminishes, diffuses and dies at the ever changing whim of an angry tide, a cooling ocean breeze, the sun path and its seasons.

Plankton blooms in the most hostile of conditions and therein lies the paradox. That within such variable limitations, an incredibly diverse range of micro-organisms can thrive. One link in the chain of a fragile, blue, mercurial world.

And in the last remaining light, so begins the journey.

Planet Plankton, committed to advancing marine conservation and raising awareness for our oceans through photography and photojournalism.