Question

Primary production is limited in much of the open ocean by low levels of iron, which is a necessary phytoplankton nutrient. It has been suggested by some that pumps could be placed in these areas that would move iron rich sediments from the deep into the well-lit euphotic zone, thus stimulating phytoplankton blooms. What problem (human impact) do you think scientists would be trying to address with this biotechnological approach? Reduction in iron pollution in oceanic sediments Reduction of bycatch Reduction of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the atmosphere Reduction of the human impact on marine species diversity

Answer 1

In the oceans, the primary producers are above all algae, which form phytoplankton. Phytoplankton is essential in the production of oxygen. In fact, more than 50 percent of the oxygen on our planet is produced in the sea through photosynthesis triggered by phytoplankton, an autotrophic microorganism that is essential for life on the planet.

Now, if iron is a fundamental nutrient for phytoplankton and scientists are working to make this nutrient more available for this photosynthetic microorganism, which can use carbon dioxide and generate oxygen in exchange, this is because they want to establish a reduction of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

So that, we can conclude that the correct answer is:

Reduction of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.