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Using a newly developed analytical technique, scientists have identified long-hypothesized vitamin B deficient zones in the ocean. B vitamins are organic compounds dissolved in the ocean and are important for living cells to function. Zones poor in B vitamins may inhibit the growth and proliferation of phytoplankton, which are tiny microorganisms at the base of the food chain in the ocean. An important result of the study is that the concentrations of the five major B vitamins vary independently and appear to have different sources and sinks. [Source: University of Southern California]
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