Pseudo-nitzschia, Coscinodiscus, Skeletonema.

To most people, these words mean nothing. But to a select group of students, these words fill their Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday mornings.

Teacher Katie Neller, a marine science enthusiast, volunteers her time and knowledge to help these kids succeed. In 2005, she founded the Phytofinders, a group of students committed to science and collecting data on our oceans.

On Tuesday afternoons, the students split into two teams and venture to Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head and the Army Corps of Engineers FRF Pier in Duck to collect phytoplankton and water samples to be analyzed by the students and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Phytoplankton are tiny photosynthetic organisms only able to be seen under the microscope. So why does it matter that they’re in our oceans? Though small, phytoplankton have an incalculable impact on our ecosystem. Because phytoplankton produce energy through photosynthesis, they are responsible for roughly 50 percent of the earth’s absorption of carbon dioxide and release of oxygen, helping keep our marine and terrestrial ecosystems healthy.

Just like most things in life, phytoplankton are good in moderation. While most algal blooms caused by phytoplankton aren’t harmful, high levels of nutrients and sunlight can cause toxic blooms.

One species that the Phytofinders keep a particularly watchful eye on is pseudo-nitzschia, a diatom that produces the neurotoxin domoic acid. When consumed in large amounts, domoic acid ingested by marine animals causes disorientation, hallucinations, seizures, and can even lead to death. Everything is connected: Shrimp ingest the phytoplankton, fish eat the shrimp, then birds, sharks and humans eat the fish.

When high levels of domoic acid are present, birds forget where to fly, whales beach themselves, and humans can get amnesiac shellfish poisoning.

In 2014, an unusual amount of pseudo-nitzschia appeared in some of the samples the students had collected. After the students were finished analyzing the samples, the water was bottled up and sent to NOAA, which came to the same conclusion the students had: There was a toxic bloom present on the coast of the Outer Banks.

“I love our ocean and being involved with our community, so being a part of the Phytofinders is the perfect way to do both,” sophomore Michaela Kelly said. “Collecting phytoplankton is a fun way to incorporate science into what you love, and I really feel like I’m making a difference.”

While phytoplankton play an important role in the vitality of our earth, they have a huge impact on a local scale. Most of the local population on the Outer Banks depends on a healthy ocean in one way or another, and despite being at the bottom of the food chain, phytoplankton run our ocean. Thanks to the Phytofinders, NOAA was made aware of a toxic bloom present and was able to monitor the levels closely. Had this not been done, it could’ve been detrimental to the fishing industry and damaged the local economy.

“Phytoplankton club makes me feel like I’m contributing to something people actually pay attention to,” freshman Shane McKenna said. “It’s something interesting that I enjoy while knowing I’m making a difference.”

Sophomore Meghan Savona can be reached at savoname0701@daretolearn.org.