Describe two roles that sunlight plays in the marine environment.

Sunlight is the primary source of energy that is captured by photosynthetic organisms. These organisms, in turn, become food for other organisms. Solar energy is also important due to the warming effect it has on the planet. Light from the sun is used by animals in the marine environment for visually detecting their surroundings and as a cue for determining which way is up. If very intense, the visible and ultraviolet components of sunlight can cause severe damage to both photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic organisms in the marine environment.