If rates of nitrogen fixation increased tenfold in aquatic ecosystems, would you expect a tenfold increase in primary productivity?
A)yes, because nitrogen is a limiting nutrient in aquatic ecosystems
B)yes, because there is an abundance of dissolved carbon dioxide in aquatic ecosystems
C)no, because there are other limiting nutrients in aquatic ecosystems besides nitrogen
D)no, because there would be a higher increase in primary productivity

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Nitrogen is indeed a limiting nutrient in many aquatic ecosystems, but it is not the only one. Other nutrients, such as phosphorus, can also limit primary productivity. Therefore, even if nitrogen fixation increased significantly, the lack of other essential nutrients could prevent a proportional increase in primary productivity.

If Rates of Nitrogen Fixation Increased Tenfold in Aquatic Ecosystems