Peter Kraal

I study the cycles of substances such as phosphorus and iron in the oceans, and how humans influence them. Phosphorus from agricultural fertilizers eventually ends up in the seas and oceans, where it causes algae to grow at an accelerated rate. The decomposition of all the dead and rotting algae then causes a shortage of oxygen in the water. This anoxic condition causes the phosporus to be retained in the seafloor much less efficient, but rather recycled back into the water column to further boost algal growth. This process is a vicious cycle. In principle, we can render phosphorus harmless with iron, because phosphorus binds to them. How and under what circumstances? That's what I want to understand better.