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By illuminating the microscopic chemistry that moves energy through the ocean, new research is helping scientists better understand how life beneath the waves is sustained — one molecule at a time. 

That insight may sound small, but the implications are vast. The ocean’s microorganisms drive the biological processes that support marine ecosystems, coastal economies and global fisheries. Yet, many of the chemical exchanges that make these systems work have remained largely invisible to science. 

is bringing those hidden interactions into focus. 

Working as part of an interdisciplinary team of ocean chemists and biologists, ���ϲ�����’s Yuting Zhu, Ph.D., a chemistry professor and active researcher, helped identify dozens of tiny molecules released by phytoplankton — microscopic algae that form the foundation of the marine food web. The study reveals how these compounds circulate through marine ecosystems, fueling vast microbial networks that move energy and nutrients through the ocean.  

Phytoplankton are among the most important organisms on Earth. Floating near the ocean’s surface, they use sunlight to convert carbon into energy-rich organic material, feeding marine life from microbes to fish. 

But, the new research, which included researchers from , Columbia University and MIT, highlights another critical role these organisms play. 

As phytoplankton grow, they release small compounds into the surrounding seawater. These molecules, called exometabolites, include amino acids, vitamins and sulfur-containing compounds that other microorganisms can use as food or metabolic building blocks.  

In essence, phytoplankton are constantly releasing packets of chemical energy into the ocean. 

“These molecules are like the currency of microbial ecosystems,” Dr. Zhu said. “They move between organisms, connecting the microbes that capture energy from sunlight with those that recycle it.” 

Until recently, scientists struggled to study these exchanges. The compounds exist at extremely small concentrations and are difficult to measure in salty seawater using conventional techniques. 

Using advanced chemical detection tools, the research team was able to identify 56 different compounds released by six phytoplankton species, revealing a much clearer picture of how energy flows through marine microbial communities.  

The findings suggest that different species of phytoplankton release distinct mixtures of molecules. Those differences may influence which microbes thrive in particular regions of the ocean and how efficiently nutrients move through marine food webs. 

Understanding those interactions could help scientists better interpret shifts in ocean ecosystems, improve biological ocean models and deepen understanding of the processes that support marine life. 

“This research is just the beginning,” Dr. Zhu said. “Now, that we can see and measure the molecules phytoplankton release, we can start to understand how they shape relationships between marine organisms and influence how carbon moves through the ocean.” 

This work aligns with the University’s research strengths in maritime systems and coastal resilience, where scientists are studying the biological, chemical and physical processes that shape ocean environments and the communities that depend on them. 

For Dr. Zhu, the work underscores a powerful reality of ocean science: the forces that sustain life in the sea often operate at the smallest possible scales.