A traveling exhibition called “Small but Remarkable: Stories of the Microscopic Beings That Sustain All Life in the Oceans” is on display at the Charles Darwin Exhibition Center at the University City campus of Rio de Janeiro Federal University (UFRJ). This initiative is part of Petrobras’ Santos Basin Regional Characterization Project, supported by OceanPact, and is a collaborative project involving several Brazilian universities, including the University of São Paulo and UFRJ.

The exhibition, which has already been held at the University of São Paulo’s Oceanographic Museum, explores the universe of microscopic organisms, which are the foundation of the marine food chain. Presented as a journey divided into three parts, the experience begins in the world of primary producers – photosynthetic beings that play a vital role in oxygen production and in maintaining the entire food chain. It then dives into the realm of zooplankton, highlighting its importance in the renewal of marine populations and the complex food web. The journey ends by exploring the depths of the seabed, where benthic organisms play crucial roles in the decomposition of organic matter and the structuring of habitats.

The project seeks to encourage reflection on the interconnection between all organisms, including invisible ones, in sustaining marine life, and the importance of science in this understanding.

The exhibition is free and open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. until March 2026 at the Charles Darwin Exhibition Center, located near the entrance to Block A at the UFRJ Health Science Center.