Question

Paul Templet describes the process of eutrophication in the Gulf of Mexico. According to Templet, which of the following initiates the process?

a. Phytoplankton feed on nutrients, which creates plankton blooms.
b. Decaying marine organisms consume dissolved oxygen in the water.
c. Farm run-off carrying nutrients from nitrogen fertilizer washes to the ocean.
d. Plankton blooms cause a decrease in dissolved oxygen in the water.

Answer 1

Farm run-off carrying nutrients from nitrogen fertilizer washes to the ocean.

Step-by-step explanation:

• When any water body becomes heavily enriched with minerals and nutrients such that it induces excessive growth of algae on the water body then such a process is known as eutrophication.
• The Gulf of Mexico is facing the problem of eutrophication due to the farm practices that are contributing to the formation of a dead zone in the Gulf.
• Farm run-off that carries nitrogen fertilizers into the ocean contributes to the excess of nutrients into the water body and cause depletion of dissolved oxygen in the water body.