Question

Recall that areas with high net primary productivity not only produce high levels of biomass rapidly, they also take up large amounts of CO2 and give off large amounts of oxygen. What is the likely result of the increasing amounts of fertilizers in the major rivers emptying into oceans?
A) Productivity in these areas will increase permanently, leading to more CO_2 uptake and more oxygen released. B) Eutrophication, followed by hypoxia, is a likely result, ultimately leading to less CO_2 uptake and more oxygen released and less oxygen released.
C) Eutrophication, followed by hypoxia, is a likely result, ultimately leading to less co2 uptake and more oxygen released.
D) Eutrophication, followed by hypoxia, is a likely result, ultimately leading to less co2 uptake and more oxygen released.
E) Fisheries will improve as the extra nutrients feed shellfish and fish.

Answer 1

Answer:

Eutrophication, followed by hypoxia, is a likely result, ultimately leading to less CO2 uptake and less oxygen released.

Explanation:

Eutrophication is one of the effects of increasing amounts of fertilizers in major rivers emptying into oceans. The process of eutrophication occurs when nitrate or phosphate products (detergents, fertilizers, sewage) are discharged into an aquatic system. This causes the water to become overly enriched with minerals. In turn, this leads to the excessive growth of algae and then to oxygen depletion, or hypoxia. This ultimately results in less CO2 uptake and less oxygen released.