Phytoplankton are also responsible for the synthesis of dimethyl sulfur, which is a sulfur-based composite that plays an important role in the climate becoming moderate and the formation of clouds. Dimethyl sulfur is put into the atmosphere by the phytoplankton group called “coccolithophore” and it turns into solid particles (sulfate) by reacting with the oxygen in the air just above the sea. Water vapor intensifies in sulfate and forms the clouds. These clouds reflect back the radiation coming from the Sun and maintain the planet at a temperature slightly cooler than it would be without clouds. Therefore, these microscopic organisms have an important and effective role in balancing the planet’s temperature.
When the atmosphere begins to warm up, phytoplankton activity increases, and they begin to produce DMS, meaning dimethyl sulfur gas. It is not yet quite clear how and why these small beings produce this substance. According to one view, DMS is a waste product of the cell. Another view holds that when the cells are damaged, they secrete a toxic (meaning poisonous) acid to protect themselves against enemies; so phytoplankton, when attacked by viruses or other plankton secretes higher amounts of DMS. Even if this hypothesis is proved, it is still not yet understood why a phytoplankton secretes this substance more at some times, and less at others. This tiny being secretes the so-called substance according to need. Phytoplankton also change their production quantities according to temperature. As the target is to cool the earth, phytoplankton produce more DMS in tropical zones and less in cooler zones. Of course, it is not possible that these beings can understand the environmental needs of an entire region, much less an entire planet and hence secrete the substance accordingly. This consciousness is a manifestation of Almighty Allah’s superior intelligence and knowledge in these beings. This truth is revealed as such in one verse of the Qur’an:
“That is Allah, your Lord. There is no god but Him, the Creator of everything. So worship Him. He is responsible for everything.” (Surat Al-An‘am, 102)
Phytoplankton Increases the Quantity of Organic Matter in Oceans and Forms the Basis of the Food Chain
Phytoplankton also increases the nutrients of water-dwelling organisms by increasing the amount of organic matter in water. Therefore, the waters where algae lives are very fertile and hospitable for other beings. At the same time, they play an important role in terms of renewing the waters. Those phytoplankton with filling and constructive qualities change the shape and nature of the shores and the depths.
Phytoplankton forms the first step of the food chain together with other water-dwelling plants. These organisms, which are the basic food source for many fish, are also a food source for insects, sea birds, penguins, seals and whales, as well as fish. As the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea are regions where phytoplankton are very high in number, the number of other creatures also increases, and this makes these regions very rich in terms of biodiversity.
Almighty Allah is the One Who Creates the Phytoplankton Which Has Important Duties in Protecting the Balance of the Atmosphere
Phytoplankton, which are the food and oxygen source of the Earth, and which has an important task in arranging the climate by effecting the formation of clouds, are wonders of creation, which brings various benefits to all living beings from the smallest creature in the sea to the largest being on land, including human beings. They not only maintain their own lives, but they also enter the bodies of other beings and bring benefits to them. All of these are great and unique evidences for those who want to see Allah’s infinite existence. Almighty Allah reveals as such about this subject:
“Say: ‘Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth?’ Say: ‘Allah.’ Say: ‘So why have you taken protectors apart from Him who possess no power to help or harm themselves?’ Say: ‘Are the blind and seeing equal? Or are darkness and light the same? Or have they assigned partners to Allah who create as He creates, so that all creating seems the same to them?’ Say: ‘Allah is the Creator of everything. He is the One, the All-Conquering.’” (Surat Ar-Ra‘d, 16)
