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- Major Nutrients and Oxygen
Nitrate, Phosphate and Silicate are the major
nutrients of economic importance to phytoplankton growth and consequently to
primary production in the marine environment. An adequate amount of
these nutrients enhances primary production which supports the entire life
within the ecosystem. Monitoring of these nutrients can also give an
indication of the health status of the marine ecosystem. Excessive
algal growth forming blooms can be traced to excess nutrients. Oxygen gives an indication of biological activity as it is produced
during photosynthesis and utilized by organisms during during respiration.
A fair amount of oxygen is needed to ensure both primary and secondary production
takes places. Lack of oxygen can create anoxic conditions with its
detrimental effects on both plants and animal life in the marine
environment.
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