Aquatic ecology and Biodiversity

Unit 5- Productivity

5.2.9. Minor nutrients
Minor nutrients such as Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, vanadium, cobalt and molybdenum are known to limit primary production. Lower concentration of Iron is known to limit plant growth particularly in Neritic waters. Neritic species such as Skeletonema costatum requires high concentrations iron along with PO₄ and NO₃ by diatoms and silicoflagellates for shell formation
Note: Calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium ions are required by plants in trace quantities. These elements will help to keep ionic regulation of cells and the formation of hard parts, enzymatic activity etc.