Answer:
b) sea ducks and other consumers
Step-by-step explanation:
Phytoplankton are at the base of the marine food chain, serving as primary producers that convert sunlight and nutrients into organic matter. They are consumed by various marine organisms, including zooplankton, small fish, and filter-feeding animals. Sea ducks and other consumers higher up in the food chain depend on these smaller organisms for their nutrition. If phytoplankton were to disappear, it would disrupt the entire food web, leading to a decline in populations of animals that rely on phytoplankton-based resources for their survival.