Thus primary production—the conversion of sunlight into organic biomass, the foundation of the food chain—has an annual carbon fixation of 1–2 g/m2 in the open ocean. Close to the ice it can reach 30–50 g/m2. These values are not outstandingly high, compared to very productive areas like the North Sea or upwelling regions, but the area over which it takes place is enormous, even compared to other large primary producers such as rainforests. In addition, during the Austral summer there are many hours of daylight to fuel the process. All of these factors make the plankton and the krill a critical part of the planet's ecocycle.
Thus primary production—the conversion of sunlight into organic biomass the foundation of the food chain—has an annual carbon fixation of 1–2 g/m2 in the open ocean Close to the ice it can reach 30–50 g/m2 These values are not outstandingly high compared to very productive areas like the North Sea or upwelling regions but the area over which it takes place is enormous even compared to other large primary producers such as rainforests In addition during the Austral summer there are many hours of daylight to fuel the process All of these factors make the plankton and the krill a critical part of the planet's ecocycle