AI Summary

Research has identified a significant source of nutrients contributing to the degradation of the Mar Menor lagoon. The majority of these nutrients, including ammonium, phosphorus, and silica, do not originate from external sources such as streams or groundwater. Instead, they are being recirculated from within the lagoon itself. This process involves water from the lagoon seeping into the sediments and then re-emerging with accumulated nutrients. This newly recognized mechanism highlights the complex nature of the Mar Menor's ecosystem and the need for a more nuanced understanding of its dynamics.

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