NUTRIENT BUDGETS 307 



the Pacific Ocean only, also concluded that a steady state probably 

 exists with respect to silicon. 



It must be admitted that the writers did not expect that the computa- 

 tions would so closely support their belief in a steady state in view of the 

 incomplete source data. Values given in Table 1 still must be accepted 

 with caution. For example, because of lack of data the standing crop was 

 not considered in computing the reserves of nutrients in the ocean. In 

 addition, contribution of nutrients from juvenile waters and loss of 

 nutrients to the land in the form of blown sea salts, guano, and marine 

 products of commerce were ignored because the quantities involved are 

 insignificant. Taking all known uncertainties into consideration, it is 

 believed that the estimates for oceanic reserves are correct to within a 

 factor of 2, but the other estimates are correct only to within an order 

 of magnitude. Certainly, one of the prime tasks of geochemistry is to 

 obtain more exact information on the distribution of these and other 

 elements in the earth's surface zones. When more widespread and pre- 

 cise analyses are available, the budgets can be recomputed and given more 

 credence. Until then, the budgets outlined in this article should be taken 

 no more seriously than as rough guides. 



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