Nitrogen dynamics nutrient limitation

Despite the role of phosphorus as one vital nutrient, the distributions and dynamics of marine phosphorus pools are less well characterized in comparison with those of the bioelements carbon and nitrogen (Suzumura and Ingall, 2004). Phosphorus is the key element for phytoplankton growth and one of the factors in coastal estuarine and seawater eutrophication. Recently, phosphorus has been observed to limit phytoplankton production in both coastal waters and the open sea. 

---