Nutrients:essentials of life

Question 1

Conservative elements

Answer 1

Important for life but do not determine where life can thrive

Question 2

If the reservoir size is large compared to the fluxes

Answer 2

long residence time, small changes in reservoir size (concentration)

Question 3

Nutrient distribution (NO3-) in the ocean

Answer 3

Shows a strongly non-conservative behaviour

Question 4

Nutrient levels at the surface

Answer 4

Scarce due to usage, concentrations measured in ppm

Question 4

Nutrients

Answer 4

Non-conservative property of the sea

Question 5

Redfield Ratio

Answer 5

Nutrient Uptake and Release
C:N:P= 106:16:1

Question 6

Rate of nutrient recycling in oceans

Answer 6

So much higher than addition/removal

Question 7

Sea Surface concentrations

Answer 7

Low N and P concentration in surface waters, except in polar regions where something stops all the nutrients being used. And in upwelling zones. Global N and P distribution in surface sea water

Question 8

Away from coastal regions

Answer 8

wind blown dust supply’s the ocean with Fe along with some sources in the deep ocean

Question 9

Drivers of upwelling

Answer 9

Winds at oceanographic “boundaries”: Coasts; Fronts; the Equator