Final answer:
Ocean upwelling is a process where deep, nutrient-rich waters rise to the surface, prompted by winds that push surface waters away from coastlines, which in turn reintroduces vital nutrients for marine ecosystems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ocean upwelling is a significant process in which deep ocean waters rise to the surface, largely driven by prevailing winds that blow surface waters away from coastlines. This upwelling brings cold, nutrient-rich water from the depths to the surface, supporting marine life by recycling nutrients necessary for photosynthesis and the food chain. The process can be described in three steps:
- Prevailing winds cause surface waters to be pushed offshore.
- This creates an area of lower water level near the shore, which needs to be replenished.
- Water from the ocean bottom, which is colder and nutrient-dense, moves up to the surface to replace the displaced water.
This mechanism is critical for the health of marine ecosystems and significantly contributes to marine productivity, particularly in upwelling zones along coastlines. Furthermore, these nutrients once locked within dead organisms at the ocean's bottom are cycled back into the ecosystem, making them available for other living organisms.