From the Greek πλανκτόν - wandering, a set of organisms inhabiting the water column of continental and marine bodies of water and unable to resist transport by currents and wind mixing.

Based on the size of the organisms, the following are distinguished:

pico - up to 2 µm;

nano - 2-20 µm;

micro - 20-200 µm;

meso - 200 µm - 20 mm;

macro - 2-20 cm;

mega - more than 20 cm.

Macroplankton is a set of organisms that range in size from 2 to 20 cm (jellyfish, most higher crustaceans, shellfish).

Organisms visible to the naked eye that live in bodies of water and are moved by waves and currents.