Nutrient and Carbon Cycles

Question 1

Why is CARBON so important?

Answer 1

Important atom in amino acids
Immediate electronegativity
Strong bond strength so less reactive
4 valence electrons to form chains or rings

Question 2

Explain the REDFIELD RATIO.

Answer 2

106:16:1
C: N: P
The general stoichiometric ratio of sea water and plankton

Question 3

What are the SEAFLOOR CARBON STOCKS?

Answer 3

Transitional vegetated zone (salt marshes, mangroves)
Non-vegetated sea floor (bare sediment)
Vegetated sea floor (kelp forests, seagrass beds)

Question 4

Which carbon stock is the best for CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION?

Answer 4

Natural vegetated marine systems
High chance of aiding our global reduction of CO2

Question 5

Where are the KEY MARINE NUTRIENT DISTRIBUTIONS found?

Answer 5

Estuaries (source of nitrogen and phosphorous, combination of sediment runoff from plants and materials from phytoplankton)
Surface of low latitude oceans (low nitrogen availability, lack of subsurface supply, no iron)

Question 6

What are HYPOXIC ZONES?

Answer 6

Dead zones triggered by nutrient addition
This is usually caused by human activity