What is the primary role of coastal upwelling in boosting ecosystem productivity, and which major regions exhibit strong coastal upwelling?

• A. Upwelling warms surface water increasing stratification; major regions include tropical Pacific and Indian Ocean.
• B. Upwelling brings nutrient-rich deep water to the surface fueling phytoplankton blooms; major regions include the coastal zones off Peru-Chile, California, Northwest Africa, and parts of Western Australia and Namibia.
• C. Upwelling reduces nutrient availability, suppressing phytoplankton growth; major regions include Scandinavia and Japan.
• D. Upwelling increases salinity and reduces productivity; major regions include Caribbean.

Answer: (B)