Gephyrocapsa oceanica

Gephyrocapsa oceanica is a tiny, single-celled species of algae known as a coccolithophore. These microscopic organisms float in the ocean and are covered with calcium carbonate plates called coccoliths. They play a crucial role in the Earth's carbon cycle by absorbing carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and contributing to the formation of marine sediments when they die. Gephyrocapsa oceanica is important for scientists studying climate change, as its presence and distribution help scientists understand past ocean conditions and how oceans respond to changing environmental factors.