factors affecting marine productivity

Question 1

Light

Answer 1

• needed for photosynthesis
• cannot penetrate deep water so phytoplankton are only either anchored to the sea bed in shallow water or free-floating and drift with currents
• if water is turbid e.g. fine sediment, marine productivity is low e.g. mouth of the Amazon
• greater at high latitude (seasonal changes)=algal blooms in polar regions in summer

Question 2

nutrients

Answer 2

-marine autotrophs absorb nutrients directly from water
-fresh nutrients found in coastal areas
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