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Photosynthesis unbinds carbon and oxygen from the CO2 molecule. The carbon is used (with water and other compounds) in making a couple of primary sugars and the oxygen is a waste product. The use of "create" is a common misnomer since no oxygen is created per se. Plants also have processes that release CO2, but generally more oxygen is released.
Whether the photosynthesis occurs in trees or algae, the process is similar. Algae have been at work longer in geologic terms, and are considered responsible for the oxygen rich atmosphere.
You mean you didn't have an Atmospheric Scientist for a grade school teacher like the rest of us who broke down the sources of all atmospheric gases to the nearest 0.0000000001%?
I saw a Reddit item saying most of the air we breathe comes from algae in the oceans, not plants and trees.
If that is correct, they lied to us in grade school. They told us trees make the air we breathe.
BTW, all plant life, on land OR water, produces oxygen, is that right?
Yes, underwater seaweed releases Oxygen into the water. Fish have gills so that they take the oxygen out the water and breathe it. If have a fish tank at home and you don't keep plants in the fish tank, you have to set the aquarium bubbler on so that fish does not suffocate.
Plans like to munch on carbon dioxide to produce oxygen. Plants consume other gasses as well like carbon monoxide, some more and some less.
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You mean you didn't have an Atmospheric Scientist for a grade school teacher like the rest of us who broke down the sources of all atmospheric gases to the nearest 0.0000000001%?
Plants consume other gasses as well like carbon monoxide, some more and some less. 
