Question

Using the information above, what harmful effect on the local ecosystem could be caused by a farmer using these methods in his established fields to increase wheat yield?

A) The increased size of wheat will cause nearby plants to lose sunlight.
B) The increased phosphates in runoff will cause algal blooms in nearby bodies of water.
C) The increased yield of wheat will cause a decrease in food supply for local wildlife.
D) The increased phosphates will cause an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

Answer 1

The usage of fertilizers can lead to phosphates in runoff, causing algal blooms, which deplete oxygen in water bodies and create dead zones, affecting aquatic life and potentially human health.

Step-by-step explanation:

The harmful effect on the local ecosystem caused by a farmer using methods to increase wheat yield that lead to fertilizer runoff can be the increased phosphates in runoff causing algal blooms in nearby bodies of water. This is because when fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorus are overused or applied at inappropriate times, excess nutrients can be washed into waterways, causing eutrophication. This process leads to oxygen depletion in the water due to the overgrowth and decay of algae, which can result in the death of aquatic organisms, the creation of dead zones, and potentially harmful impacts to human health.

Answer 2

The increased phosphates in runoff from the farmer's methods will cause algal blooms in nearby bodies of water. The use of artificial fertilizers in agriculture, when washed into waterways, causes eutrophication due to high levels of phosphates and nitrogen.

Step-by-step explanation:

The harmful effect on the local ecosystem that could be caused by a farmer using these methods to increase wheat yield is option B) The increased phosphates in runoff will cause algal blooms in nearby bodies of water.

When phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers are washed into waterways through agricultural runoff, they contribute to the eutrophication of fresh water bodies. High concentrations of phosphates can promote the growth of cyanobacteria and algae, leading to algal blooms. These algal blooms can produce harmful toxins, disrupt the ecosystem, and harm human health.

The use of artificial fertilizers in agriculture, when washed into waterways, causes eutrophication due to high levels of phosphates and nitrogen. This leads to excess algae growth and oxygen depletion, creating dead zones harmful to aquatic life and ecosystems.

Based on the information provided, the most likely harmful effect on the local ecosystem from a farmer using methods that increase fertilizer runoff to boost wheat yield is B) The increased phosphates in runoff will cause algal blooms in nearby bodies of water. This is due to the fact that fertilizers contain high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which, when washed into waterways, can promote the overgrowth of algae and cyanobacteria. The decomposition of these organisms depletes the dissolved oxygen in the water, leading to the death of aquatic fauna and creating dead zones where aquatic life cannot survive.

Eutrophication is a major environmental issue tied to agricultural runoff. It describes the process by which a body of water becomes overly enriched with minerals and nutrients which induce excessive growth of plants and algae. As a result of this process, other aquatic organisms suffer due to decreased oxygen levels and altered habitat conditions.

Furthermore, algal blooms can produce harmful toxins, and when they die and decompose, they consume large amounts of oxygen, creating hypoxic conditions that can kill fish and other aquatic life. The overgrowth can also block sunlight to lower depths, affecting the entire ecosystem.