Final answer:
In Environmental Biology, water pollution due to runoff containing fertilizers can lead to eutrophication, causing algae blooms that deplete oxygen levels and block sunlight, thereby inhibiting photosynthesis and plant growth in aquatic ecosystems.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is water pollution and its effects on plants, making it a topic within the discipline of Biology, specifically within environmental or ecological studies. The question pertains to the college level, under Environmental Biology 221 or a similar course.
Water pollution, particularly from fertilizers, leads to the eutrophic conditions that can cause algae blooms. These blooms consume oxygen and block sunlight from reaching other plants in the water.
As a result, the photosynthesis process in these plants is hindered because sunlight is essential for chloroplasts to produce food for the plant.
Pollutants like nitrates and phosphates from agricultural runoff can cause cultural eutrophication, leading to rapid algae growth and potentially creating dead zones due to hypoxia. These effects can be mitigated to some extent by reducing fertilizer use and preserving wetlands that filter runoff water.
When plants are unable to receive adequate sunlight due to pollutants blocking light penetration, their ability to perform photosynthesis is compromised.
This condition impairs the production of glucose, which in turn affects the plants' growth and the ecosystem's overall health. Environmental Biology courses often explore the complexities of such interactions and the broader implications for biodiversity and ecosystem stability.