In a major upwelling region in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, nutrient availability tends to be relatively high, compared with other parts of the ocean.Shortly after an upwelling event, nutrients including nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus increased, and the region had a short-term phytoplankton bloom.The bloom then stopped until an iron compound was added artificially.This indicates that the region was limited by
A) nitrogen.
B) phosphorus.
C) iron.
D) carbon dioxide.
E) sulfur.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that the phytoplankton bloom resumed only after an iron compound was added artificially indicates that the region was limited by iron. This is a well-known phenomenon in oceanography called iron limitation, where phytoplankton growth is limited by the availability of iron, even if other nutrients are in abundance.

In a Major Upwelling Region in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific