How does photosynthesis work in an ocean community?

On land, plants (from the Kingdom Plantae) are the primary producers in most places. In oceans, it's phytoplankton (including algae), the vast majority of which (both in species and mass) are not considered plants. read more

The only difference between Photosynthesis processes on land and processes underwater, is where the ocean plants get their nutrients. Although the way they get nutrients is different, the Photosynthesis process in the chloroplasts is the same as in land plants. read more

But light is absorbed by ocean water -- and some colors of light are absorbed more readily than others. The deeper you go, the less light is available, and below a certain depth the ocean is completely dark. That's why nearly all photosynthesis in the ocean takes place in the sunlit upper layers. read more

They then moved onto land.So light definitely gets into the upper layers of the ocean, and that's where the process of photosynthesis traps that light and converts it into energy - into carbohydrates really, that the rest of the food chain relies on. read more