Identify the False Statement About Nutrients in Ecosystems

Subject : Biology

Question:

Which of the following statements about nutrients is false?

A. Nutrient chemistry is the same in both freshwater and marine systems.

B. Low levels of nutrients are desirable in freshwater lakes.

C. Both nitrogen and phosphorous are nutrients present in treated sewage.

D. Nutrients from sewage will have less impact on a larger body of water.

E. Nutrients affect the growth of photosynthetic bacteria and algae in Puget Sound less than in Washington.

Answer:

The false statement among the options is E: Nutrients affect the growth of photosynthetic bacteria and algae in Puget Sound less than in Washington. This statement is incorrect because nutrient levels, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, significantly affect photosynthetic organisms like algae in both marine and freshwater environments. In Puget Sound, a body of water in Washington, nutrients from human activities, including treated sewage, can cause harmful algal blooms, which disrupt the ecosystem and lead to issues like oxygen depletion and the death of marine life. In fact, nutrient over-enrichment can have a more pronounced impact in localized areas like Puget Sound due to its semi-enclosed nature, where water circulation is more limited compared to larger open bodies of water.

A is true because nutrient chemistry differs between freshwater and marine systems due to factors like salinity and biological processes.

B is true as low nutrient levels help prevent harmful algal blooms in freshwater lakes.

C is true since both nitrogen and phosphorus are found in treated sewage.

D is true because larger bodies of water can dilute the impact of nutrients compared to smaller water bodies.

Thus, statement E is the one that is false.