Question

What is the likeliest limiting factor restricting phytoplankton to approximately the top ten feet of the ocean, rather than deeper?
quantity of light
quality of light
presence of nitrates
lack of oxygen

Answer 1

Quality of light is the limiting factor restricting phytoplankton to approximately the top ten feet of the ocean, rather than deeper

Explanation:

When sun rays pass through the water in the oceans, they are quickly diffused and cannot penetrate very deep into the deep water layers. Remember that phytoplanktons are photosynthetic organisms and hence require sunlight to manufacture their own food. They, therefore, cannot grwo in deeper layers of the oceans. They are only found in the photic zone.

The quality of light is especially of most importance and hence the major limiting factor. Red light, of longer wavelength, and which is the major wavelength of light that is used the most by photosynthetic organisms, diffuses very fast than blue light when it passes through water. Therefore the more reason phytoplankton is found in the top ten feet of the ocean, rather than deeper.

Learn More:

For more on phytoplankton check out;

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