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difference between zooplankton and phytoplankton

The main difference between zooplankton and phytoplankton is that zooplankton is an animal, while phytoplankton is a plant. Fish and krill are examples of zooplankton. Zooplankton depends on phytoplankton for food. Algae and diatoms are common forms of phytoplankton. Phytoplankton are found near the surface of the water where there is plenty of sunlight. They release oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. An ocean's health can be indicated by the amount and type of zooplankton and phytoplankton in the water.As phytoplankton is a plant, it is natural that they make their own food by the process of photosynthesis. On the other hand, zooplankton depends on the phytoplankton and other particulate that is found in the seawater for food. Phytoplankton is the primary source of food for the zooplankton.Phytoplankton releases a lot of oxygen into the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis as they are plants. However, zooplankton cannot produce oxygen like phytoplankton.