Aquatic plants primarily obtain nutrients from the sediment or soil at the bottom of the body of water they inhabit, similar to how terrestrial plants get nutrients from the ground.
Here's a breakdown of how aquatic plants acquire the nutrients they need:
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Rooted Plants: Most aquatic plants are rooted in the sediment. Their roots act as anchors and, more importantly, as the primary means of nutrient uptake. Nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients are absorbed directly from the sediment through the roots. This is the most common method for aquatic plants.
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Nutrient Absorption from Water: Some aquatic plants, especially free-floating ones like duckweed or water hyacinth, absorb nutrients directly from the surrounding water. They have specialized structures that increase their surface area, allowing for efficient absorption of dissolved nutrients.
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Foliar Absorption: Submerged plants can also absorb nutrients through their leaves. This is particularly important for plants that may have limited root systems or live in nutrient-poor sediments.
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Nutrient Limiting Factors: Just like land plants, aquatic plants can be limited by the availability of certain nutrients. While phosphorus is often considered the limiting nutrient in freshwater systems generally, the reference states that nitrogen is often the limiting nutrient for aquatic plants specifically.
In summary, aquatic plants primarily get nutrients from the sediment through their roots, but some can also absorb nutrients from the water column through their leaves or specialized structures.
