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Micronutrient
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<p>Micronutrients are essential chemicals required by <a href="/facts/Organism/j8JkL09u">organisms</a> in small quantities to perform various biogeochemical processes and regulate <a href="/facts/Physiology/fh25y2pQ">physiological functions</a> of cells and <a href="/facts/Organ_(anatomy)/FUYsLaxz">organs</a>. By enabling these processes, micronutrients support the health of organisms throughout life. </p><p>For humans, micronutrients typically take one of three forms: <a href="/facts/Vitamin/SnW0LYBL">vitamins</a>, <a href="/facts/Trace_element/fcIekKdo">trace elements</a>, and <a href="/facts/Mineral_(nutrient)/ACv8EG7f">dietary minerals.</a> Human micronutrient requirements are in amounts generally less than 100 <a href="/facts/Milligram/lU2zbPk8">milligrams</a> per day, whereas <a href="/facts/Nutrient/34bn4skK">macronutrients</a> are required in gram quantities daily. <a href="/facts/Micronutrient_deficiencies/yU7k0aus">Deficiencies in micronutrient intake</a> commonly result in <a href="/facts/Malnutrition/KasQy5MR">malnutrition</a>. </p><p>In ecosystems, micronutrients most commonly take the form of <a href="/facts/Trace_elements/fcIekKdo">trace elements</a> such as iron, strontium, and manganese. Micronutrient abundance in the environment greatly influences <a href="/facts/Biogeochemical_cycle/3vG5KBu4">biogeochemical cycles</a> at the microbial level which large ecological communities rely on to survive. For example, <a href="/facts/Phytoplankton/tK5MUIkA">marine primary producers</a> are reliant upon bioavailable dissolved <a href="/facts/Iron/QK1JYy8E">iron</a> for <a href="/facts/Photosynthesis/TMV7w693">photosynthesis</a>. <a href="/facts/Trophic_level/tHMpgkUC">Secondary and tertiary producers</a> in oceans are therefore also reliant on the presence of sufficient dissolved iron concentrations. </p> <p>Naturally, micronutrients are transferred between reservoirs through processes like fluvial transport, aeolian processes, ocean circulation, volcanism, and biological uptake/transfer. Anthropogenic activities also alter the abundance of micronutrients in ecosystems. Industrial and agricultural practices can release trace metals into the atmosphere, waterways, and soils and deforestation can lead to higher trace metal-containing-dust transport into oceans. </p>