Which mechanism increases phytoplankton biomass when nitrogen availability is low?

💡 Explanation

Diazotrophy allows phytoplankton to fix atmospheric nitrogen, increasing biomass, because nitrogen fixation converts N2 gas to usable forms of nitrogen where other nutrient forms are limiting; therefore phytoplankton can thrive, rather than experiencing inhibited growth.

• Which limitation of oceanic productivity results when iron scarcity impairs nitrogen assimilation?
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• Which benefit occurs when a legume establishes symbiosis?
• Which risk increases when mesophyll photosynthesis rate limits sugar production?
• Which metabolic shift impairs brown adipose tissue function during arousal from hibernation?
• Which physiological response decreases upon prolonged deep hibernation?