Explain why the rapid removal of oxygen from sea water leads to the deaths of many plants and animals.
Question
Explain why the rapid removal of oxygen from sea water leads to the deaths of many plants and animals.
Solution
-
Oxygen in Water: Oxygen is dissolved in seawater and is vital for the survival of many marine organisms. Fish, shellfish, and some types of bacteria need oxygen to survive. They breathe in oxygen dissolved in water, much like humans breathe in oxygen from the air.
-
Oxygen Depletion: Rapid removal of oxygen from seawater is known as hypoxia or oxygen depletion. This can occur due to several reasons such as excessive nutrient pollution from human activities, which can result in an overgrowth of algae. When these algae die and decompose, they consume a large amount of oxygen in the water.
-
Impact on Marine Life: When oxygen levels in the water drop rapidly, it can lead to the death of marine life. Fish, shellfish, and other marine animals cannot survive without sufficient oxygen. They either die or move to areas with higher oxygen levels. This can disrupt the food chain and impact the overall ecosystem.
-
Impact on Plants: Aquatic plants also need oxygen to survive. Without enough oxygen, they can't perform photosynthesis effectively, which can lead to their death. This can further reduce oxygen levels in the water, as plants produce oxygen through photosynthesis.
-
Long-term Effects: If oxygen depletion continues for a long time, it can lead to the creation of 'dead zones' in the ocean where no life can survive. This can have serious long-term effects on biodiversity and the health of the world's oceans.
Similar Questions
The scientist found that as plant E started dying, the amount of bacteria in the pondstarted increasing. At the same time, the amount of oxygen in the pond starteddecreasing.
Eutrophication, part of the natural ageing process for bodies of water such as ponds or lakes, occurs due to a build-up of nitrates and phosphates over time. These compounds, often found in fertilisers, are plant nutrients that stimulate the growth of plants and algae in the water. As the amount of plant matter in the pond increases, more plants start to die off. Bacteria that decompose the dead plants also consume the oxygen in the water, so fish and other water animals soon die for lack of oxygen. The pond eventually becomes choked with plant matter and grows shallower. Ultimately, as shrubs grow where water once was, the pond dies.Which organisational structure does this text primarily use?
Water would become polluted due to biodegradable waste content in it. During the decomposition of the waste, the oxygen naturally dissolved in water would be:Question 14Select one:A.All of the optionsB.Used up by the decomposing wasteC.In high demand in the BOD- Oxygen Biological DemandD.starved to the aquatic lifeE.Depleted
By which of the processes listed below is oxygen added to ocean water by marine plants?af06acc60088e8d10b23fe467f658d19.webm111 KB achemosynthesis bcellular respiration cevaporation dphotosynthesis
Which best explains why there is a greater concentration of oxygen located near the ocean’s surface? A. Sunlight warms the ocean’s temperature and stimulates oxygen production near the surface. B. Plankton produces excess amounts of nutrients that remove oxygen levels from the atmosphere. C. Marine life gives off oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, which makes the ocean water rich in oxygen. D. Plants, which release oxygen, live near the surface of the ocean, where they receive large amounts of sunlight.
Upgrade your grade with Knowee
Get personalized homework help. Review tough concepts in more detail, or go deeper into your topic by exploring other relevant questions.