mesoplankton: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical, Scientific (Marine Biology, Oceanography, Ecology)
Quick answer
What does “mesoplankton” mean?
The community of planktonic organisms that inhabit the middle depths of a body of water, typically below the surface layer but above the deep sea floor.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The community of planktonic organisms that inhabit the middle depths of a body of water, typically below the surface layer but above the deep sea floor.
Plankton that live at intermediate depths, often defined by a specific depth range (e.g., 200–1000 meters) or light level, distinct from surface-dwelling (epiplankton) and deep-sea (bathypelagic) plankton. It refers to the organisms themselves as a collective ecological group.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No spelling or core definition differences. Usage is identical in both varieties, confined to technical/scientific contexts.
Connotations
None beyond its strict scientific meaning.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse. Used with identical frequency and context in UK and US academic/technical writing.
Grammar
How to Use “mesoplankton” in a Sentence
The mesoplankton [VERB]...[ADJECTIVE] mesoplankton in/at/of the [NOUN]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mesoplankton” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The mesoplanktonic community exhibits diel vertical migration.
American English
- Mesoplanktonic samples were collected using a closing net.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Primary context. Used in marine biology, oceanography, and ecological research papers and textbooks. E.g., 'The study compared carbon flux mediated by epi- and mesoplankton communities.'
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The only other context, identical to academic. Used in technical reports, environmental assessments, and by oceanographic research institutions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mesoplankton”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mesoplankton”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mesoplankton”
- Misspelling as 'mesoplanton' or 'mezoplankton'.
- Confusing it with 'microplankton' (defined by size) or 'meroplankton' (temporary plankton).
- Using it in non-scientific contexts where 'plankton' alone is sufficient.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Zooplankton refers to animal plankton. Mesoplankton is defined by depth. Mesoplankton can include zooplankton, but also other organisms like certain protists.
It is a technical term used almost exclusively in marine biology, oceanography, and related environmental sciences.
Phytoplankton are photosynthetic (plant-like) plankton, usually found in sunlit surface waters. Mesoplankton are defined by depth (middle waters) and can include both animals (zooplankton) and non-photosynthetic organisms.
Mesoplankton play a crucial role in the 'biological pump', transporting carbon from the surface to deeper ocean layers through their feeding and migration, thus impacting global carbon cycles.
The community of planktonic organisms that inhabit the middle depths of a body of water, typically below the surface layer but above the deep sea floor.
Mesoplankton is usually technical, scientific (marine biology, oceanography, ecology) in register.
Mesoplankton: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɛzəʊˈplæŋ(k)tən/, /ˌmɛsəʊ-/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɛzoʊˈplæŋktən/, /ˌmɛsoʊ-/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MESO = middle (like Mesopotamia, the land between two rivers). MESOPLANKTON = the plankton that live in the MIDDLE of the water column.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE OCEAN IS A LAYERED CAKE / VERTICAL CITY. Mesoplankton are the residents of the middle floors, between the bustling surface and the dark basement.
Practice
Quiz
Mesoplankton is primarily defined by which characteristic?