Nutrient cycling

POC

particulate organic carbon

DOC

dissolved organic carbon

PON

Particulate organic nitrogen

POP

Particulate Organic Phosphorus

DIP

Dissolved inorganic phosphorus

DCM

Dep chlorophyll Maxima

NPP and GPP

Net and Gross Primary Production

Top 6 major elements as ions in the sea

Chlorine-

Sodium+

Magnesium2+

Sulphate2-

Calcium2+

Potassium+

Limiting nutrients to phytoplankton

Nitrogen

Phosphorous

Silicon

Iron

CIC

Calcification of inorganic carbon

Formanifera

(non-photosynthetic protist) most have multi-chambered calcium carbonate shells called a test

pseudopodia (extensions of the cytoplasm) can extend from the test to catch food

most are sessile; some planktonic

fossils have been important for palentologists/ geologists

Protist

any eukaryote that is not an animal, plant or fungus

How do coccolithophores contribute to cloud formation?

Produce Dimetheylsulfoniopropionate converted to Dimethylsulfide and the to sulphate in the atmosphere which is a nucleating agent for water vapour to become water droplets

why is phosphorous an important nutrient?

Forms part of ATP, RNA, DNA and phospholipid molecules within planktonic cells in the open ocean