A manufacturing company accidentally spills chemicals into a lake bordering their plant. These chemicals are toxic to the phytoplankton living in the lake. Which of the following is the most likely long-term effect if efforts are not made to clean up the spill?

A. Large algal blooms will form and toxins in these organisms will kill fish and other wildlife.
B. The phytoplankton will adapt to the new conditions and eventually bring the lake back into equilibrium.
C. Levels of oxygen in the lake will drop and will reduce the lake's ability to support life.
D. Levels of oxygen in the lake will increase as phytoplankton die, and the number of fish will increase.

Explanation: Phytoplankton are the producers in aquatic ecosystems, so they belong to the first throphic level and do photosynthesis releasing oxygen into the lake.

If toxic chemicals are not cleaned, a lot of phytoplakton organisms will die, reducing the autotroph population (the one that make photosynthesis) and oxygen wont be produced, so the lake cannot support other organisms like zooplankton or fishes that need oxygen to live.

jeterlawncare jeterlawncare · Answer 2 · 2022-05-20T23:05:12+02:00

jeterlawncare jeterlawncare

20-05-2022

Answer:

Levels of oxygen in the lake will drop and will reduce the lake's ability to support life.

Explanation:

Hope this helps :)

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