pleustons
/ˈpluːstɑnz/
noun
- Organisms that live floating on or just below the surface of a body of water, such as a lake or ocean.
- Scientists study pleustons to understand how pollution affects surface ecosystems.
- Some pleustons, such as certain jellyfish, can drift for thousands of miles.
- The pond was covered with tiny pleustons like water ferns and duckweed.