New research into the marine phosphorus cycle is deepening our understanding of the impact of human activities on ecosystems in coastal seas.
New research into the marine phosphorus cycle is deepening our understanding of the impact of human activities on ecosystems in coastal seas.
The research, co-led by the University of East Anglia, in partnership with the Sino-UK Joint Research Centre at the Ocean University of China, looked at the impact of aerosols and river run-off on microalgae in the coastal waters of China.
It identified an ‘Anthropogenic Nitrogen Pump’ which changes the phosphorus cycle and therefore likely coastal biodiversity and associated ecosystem services.
In a balanced ecosystem, microalgae, also known as phytoplankton, provide food for a wide range of sea creatures including fish, shrimp, and jellyfish.
Read more at: University of East Anglia
Pollutants from aerosols and river run-off can cause man-made eutrophication, whereby nutrients cause massive algal blooms and unbalance the nitrogen-phosphorus nutrient structure (Photo Credit: University of East Anglia)
