Question

Algae grows quickly when there is an increase in nitrogen and phosphorus in the water. As more algae survive,_______ increases.

When these algae start to die and decompose, bacteria consume much of the _______ in the water.

Answer 1

Increased algae survival leads to higher rates of photosynthesis, and when these algae die, the decomposition process depletes the water's dissolved oxygen, creating dead zones.

Step-by-step explanation:

As more algae survive, the rate of photosynthesis increases in the water due to the larger number of algae present which can conduct this process. However, when these algae start to die and decompose, bacteria consume much of the dissolved oxygen (O₂) in the water, leading to oxygen depletion. The large input of nitrogen and phosphorus, often from sources like sewage and runoff from fertilized lawns and farms, can result in algal blooms, which can reduce light penetration in water, produce toxic byproducts, and create dead zones where fish and other oxygen-requiring organisms cannot survive due to hypoxic conditions.