How does eutrophication affect aquatic ecosystems?

How does eutrophication affect aquatic ecosystems?

• A. It increases biodiversity in water bodies
• B. It leads to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen
• C. It improves water quality by reducing pollutants
• D. It minimizes the impact of droughts

Answer: (B)

Eutrophication significantly impacts aquatic ecosystems primarily by leading to excessive growth of algae and then resulting in the depletion of oxygen in the water. This process occurs when nutrient runoff, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen from agricultural fertilizers, enters water bodies, stimulating algal blooms. While these blooms may initially increase the biomass in a water body, they can have detrimental effects once they die off and decompose. The decomposition of excess algae consumes large amounts of oxygen in the water, resulting in hypoxic conditions, or low oxygen levels. Aquatic organisms such as fish and invertebrates rely on dissolved oxygen for survival; as oxygen levels drop, these organisms can suffer stress, decline in population, or even die off. This chain reaction leads to reduced biodiversity in the affected ecosystem as species that cannot adapt to the changing conditions are unable to survive. In summary, option B accurately reflects how eutrophication negatively alters aquatic ecosystems by promoting harmful algal blooms and depleting oxygen, which can critically disrupt the balance of these habitats.

Eutrophication significantly impacts aquatic ecosystems primarily by leading to excessive growth of algae and then resulting in the depletion of oxygen in the water. This process occurs when nutrient runoff, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen from agricultural fertilizers, enters water bodies, stimulating algal blooms. While these blooms may initially increase the biomass in a water body, they can have detrimental effects once they die off and decompose.

The decomposition of excess algae consumes large amounts of oxygen in the water, resulting in hypoxic conditions, or low oxygen levels. Aquatic organisms such as fish and invertebrates rely on dissolved oxygen for survival; as oxygen levels drop, these organisms can suffer stress, decline in population, or even die off. This chain reaction leads to reduced biodiversity in the affected ecosystem as species that cannot adapt to the changing conditions are unable to survive.

In summary, option B accurately reflects how eutrophication negatively alters aquatic ecosystems by promoting harmful algal blooms and depleting oxygen, which can critically disrupt the balance of these habitats.