Phytoplankton may directly benefit from the runoff of fertilizer from agriculture into the ocean. Phytoplankton are tiny plants that rely on nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus to grow and thrive. The excess nutrients in the fertilizer runoff can cause phytoplankton populations to bloom, leading to an increase in their numbers and productivity. This can have cascading effects on the marine food web, providing food for other organisms such as zooplankton, fish, and marine mammals. However, excessive phytoplankton growth can also lead to harmful algal blooms and other negative environmental impacts.
