Question

Which of the following statements about the nutrient supply in marine ecosystems is false?

a. As freshwater mixes with saltwater, the change in pH and other chemical changes can release phosphorus bound to soil particles.
b. Rates of nitrogen fixation are lower in marine ecosystems than in lakes.
c. Benthic zones contain a mixture of ocean-derived detritus and terrestrial sediments.
d. Because of lack of oxygen, decomposition does not occur in marine ecosystems.
e. Commercial fisheries are often found at zones of upwelling, where the deep nutrient-rich water mixes with the surface water.

Answer 1

Decomposition does occur in marine ecosystems, driven by decomposers at the bottom. Aquatic organisms that die sink to the bottom, where decomposers break them down and release their nutrients back into the water.

Step-by-step explanation:

The false statement about the nutrient supply in marine ecosystems is d. Because of lack of oxygen, decomposition does not occur in marine ecosystems.

In reality, decomposition does occur in marine ecosystems, driven by decomposers near the bottom of the water. When aquatic organisms die, they sink to the bottom, where decomposers break down the dead organisms and release their nutrients back into the water.

Examples of decomposers in marine ecosystems include bacteria, fungi, and certain types of worms.