Question

If a Killer whale is feeding at the fifth trophic level, how much phytoplankton mass is required to add each gram of new mass to the whale? Assume that 10% of the energy at one trophic level is transferred to the next level. 10,000 grams 50,000 grams 1 gram 1000 grams

Answer 1

Since a phytoplankton is on the 1st trophic level. Therefore the energy transfer from the phytoplankton to the Killer whale must be on the 4th power.

To calculate:

Mass of phytoplankton required = 1 gram / (0.1)^4

Mass of phytoplankton required = 10, 000 grams

Therefore, 10, 000 grams of phytoplankton is needed to add 1 gram of mass to the Killer whale.