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Limitation of productivity by trace metals in the sea

Journal Article · · Limnology and Oceanography; (United States)
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge (United States)
  2. Tetra Tech, Inc., Hadley, MA (United States)
Some trace metals such as Fe, Ni, Cu, and Zn are essential for the growth of phytoplankton. The concentrations of these essential trace elements in seawater are so low as to limit their availability to aquatic microbiota. Trace element uptake is ultimately limited by kinetics of reaction with transport ligands or by diffusion to the cell. From what the authors know of the characteristics of the uptake systems of phytoplankton and their trace metal requirements they can estimate that Fe and Zn may at some times in some place limit phytoplankton productivity, which is in accord with available field data on trace metal enrichments.
OSTI ID:
7222160
Journal Information:
Limnology and Oceanography; (United States), Journal Name: Limnology and Oceanography; (United States) Vol. 36:8; ISSN LIOCA; ISSN 0024-3590
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English