Question

If algae grows out of proportion as seen during algal blooms, how does it affect the ecosystem?

A) Photosynthetic organisms will not be able to grow. The animals and birds that live on those organisms will be affected. As the algae die, oxygen will be depleted, affecting fish and other aquatic animals. The pH of water will change, affecting metabolic processes as well.
B) Non-photosynthetic organisms will not be able to grow due to lack of light. The photosynthetic organisms that require them to live will be affected. As the algae die, oxygen will be depleted, affecting fish and other aquatic animals. The pH of water will change, affecting metabolic processes as well.
C) Photosynthetic organisms will not be able to grow. The animals and birds that live on those organisms will be affected. As the algae die, carbon dioxide will be depleted, affecting fish and other aquatic animals. The pH of water will change, affecting metabolic processes as well.
D) Non-photosynthetic organisms will not be able to grow. The animals and birds that live on those organisms will be affected. As the algae die, carbon dioxide will be depleted, affecting fish and other aquatic animals. The pH of water will change, affecting metabolic processes as well.

Answer 1

Algal blooms reduce light penetration, preventing the growth of other photosynthetic organisms, which affects wildlife dependent on these for food. Decomposition of the excess algae depletes oxygen in the water, leading to fish die-offs and the formation of dead zones. Additionally, these events alter the pH of the water, affecting the metabolism of aquatic life.

Step-by-step explanation:

When algae grows out of proportion, as seen during algal blooms, it profoundly affects the ecosystem. These algal blooms reduce light penetration in the water, leading to an environment where other photosynthetic organisms cannot grow. Subsequently, the animals and birds that rely on these organisms for food and habitat are also affected. Once the algae die, they decompose, resulting in severe oxygen depletion in the water body. This can cause fish and other aquatic animals to die due to the lack of oxygen, leading to the creation of dead zones.

Moreover, the decomposition process can change the pH of the water, potentially impacting the metabolic processes of remaining aquatic life forms. These changes pose significant environmental challenges and can disrupt the balance of freshwater and marine habitats such as Lake Erie and the Gulf of Mexico, where nutrient runoff exacerbates algal growth.