Question

Watersheds may be contaminated by fertilizers and other pollutants. When these substances enter a waterway, they can cause algal blooms, which are rapid overgrowths of algae. When the algae die, the decay uses up a large portion of dissolved oxygen. Declining oxygen levels can then cause large die-offs of animals in the waterway.

What will an algal bloom in a watershed most likely cause?


A)A decrease in the watershed’s biodiversity, which will reduce its ability to supply clean and safe drinking water.


B)A decrease in the watersheds ecosystem diversity, which would improve its ability to supply large volumes of water.


C)An increase in the watersheds genetic diversity, which would reduce its ability to supply clean and safe drinking water.


D)An increase in the watersheds species diversity, which would improve its ability to supply large volumes of water.

Answer 1

The correct answer is a for plato

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

A: A decrease in the watershed’s biodiversity, which will reduce its ability to supply clean and safe drinking water.

Step-by-step explanation:

As already indicated, algal bloom resulting from excessive enrichment of watersheds by pollutants leads to a decline in dissolved oxygen level available for other aquatic organisms. Consequently, aquatic starts dying off due to inadequate oxygen, otherwise known as hypoxia.

The death of aquatic organisms results in a decreased watershed's biodiversity which in turn affects some ecosystem services, including water purification.

Potential water pollutants are usually filtered off or bioremediated as water moves through the various aquatic biodiversity, leading to the promotion of clean and safe drinking water.

Hence, a decrease in water biodiversity will eventually reduce its portability.

The correct option is A.