Which surface ocean has lowest phosphate concentration?

Which surface ocean has lowest phosphate concentration?

The study’s new globally expansive phosphate data set revealed previously unrecognized low-phosphate areas, including large regions of the Pacific Ocean—really low phosphate in the western North Pacific and to a lesser extent in the South Pacific.

Why is dissolved phosphorus phosphate low in the surface ocean?

The primary sink for phosphorus in the marine environment is loss to the sediments. Much of the particulate flux from rivers is lost to sediments on the continental shelves, and a smaller portion is lost to deep-sea sediments.

Where would you find the highest and lowest PO4 concentrations in the surface ocean?

The global PO4 distribution is characterised by generally low PO4 values in surface waters and high concentrations in the deep ocean, with maximum concentrations often found in intermediate waters associated with low oxygen concen- trations.

Where is phosphate in the ocean?

In the Atlantic Ocean the highest phosphate content (about 2 μg-atoms/L) is found in an intermediate layer extending northward from the Antarctic and centered at depths of about 1000 m. At all depths of about 1000 m or more there is a gradual decrease in phosphate concentration from south to north.

Why is the concentration of phosphate greater in the Pacific than in the Atlantic?

Concentrations of nutrients in deep waters of the Pacific are typically greater than in the Atlantic because Pacific deep water has had more time to accumulate nutrients from oxidation of organic matter.

Why is phosphorus a limiting factor in aquatic environments?

Phosphates are also limiting factors for plant-growth in marine ecosystems, because they are not very water-soluble. Phosphorus cycles through plants and animals much faster than it does through rocks and sediments. When animals and plants die, phosphates will return to the soils or oceans again during decay.

Why is there more phosphate in the Pacific ocean?

Why is phosphate important in the ocean?

Much like phosphorus-based fertilizers boost the growth of plants on land, phosphorus in the ocean promotes the production of microbes and tiny marine plants called phytoplankton, which compose the base of the marine food chain. They added phosphate to the samples so that they could see the microbes in action.

Which element has the highest concentration difference in %) between deep Atlantic and deep Pacific?

Nutrient-type elements in the ocean: o are very reactive, and thus have a short residence time in the ocean. o include trace metals Cd and Zn. Page 2 o typically have higher concentrations in the deep Pacific ocean compared to the deep Atlantic. o are controlled primarily by salinity variations in the ocean.

Why does the Atlantic have less nutrients than the Pacific?

In general, the Atlantic has more dissolved oxygen but lower nutrient concentrations than the Pacific. Water masses form in the North Atlantic that are very cold and dense, so the water sinks to the bottom.

Why is phosphorus most likely to limit primary production in freshwater lakes?

Phosphorus is most likely to limit primary production in freshwater lakes. Primary production is the process of conversion of light energy to chemical energy by green plants. For the aquatic ecosystem, usually, phytoplankton does this work. The amount of light and nutrients limits primary production.

What causes high phosphorus levels in wastewater?

High concentrations of phosphorus may result from poor agricultural practices, runoff from urban areas and lawns, leaking septic systems or discharges from sewage treatment plants.

Which is higher in phosphate, Atlantic Ocean or Pacific Ocean?

The deeper waters of the Pacific are in general higher in phosphate than those of the Atlantic Ocean. The difference in the character of the distribution in the two oceans is related to the nature

Where is the highest concentration of phosphate found?

Units: μg-atoms of phosphorus per 20° liter. In the Atlantic Ocean the highest phosphate content (about 2 μg-atoms/L) is found in an intermediate layer extending northward from the Antarctic and centered at depths of about 1000 m. At all depths of about 1000 m or more there is a gradual decrease in phosphate concentration from south to north.

Where does phosphate concentration decrease in the atmosphere?

At all depths of about 1000 m or more there is a gradual decrease in phosphate concentration from south to north. A layer of minimum concentration containing less than 1.0 μg-atoms/L of phosphorus extends southward beneath the layer of maximum content.

How does phosphorus affect the quality of water?

A USGS study on Cape Cod, Massachusetts showed that phosphorus can also migrate with groundwater flows. Since groundwater often discharges into surface water, such as through streambanks into rivers, there is a concern about phosphorus concentrations in groundwater affecting the water quality of surface water.