Aquatic plants that float on water in a pond can reproduce rapidly, covering the surface of the pond. These aquatic plants can impact the oxygen levels in the pond when when they die. Sometimes the oxygen levels are so severely impacted that there is no longer enough oxygen in the water for fish to survive.

Question

Why is there not enough oxygen for the fish to survive when a large population of the aquatic plants die?

Aquatic plants that float on water in a pond can reproduce rapidly, covering the surface of the pond. These aquatic plants can impact the oxygen levels in the pond when when they die. Sometimes the oxygen levels are so severely impacted that there is no longer enough oxygen in the water for fish to survive.

Why is there not enough oxygen for the fish to survive when a large population of the aquatic plants die?

The dead plants create a blanket on the top of the pond causing the water to warm up.

The dead plants are covering the surface of the pond and blocking the sunlight.

The plants produce carbon dioxide instead of oxygen when they die.

The bacteria use oxygen in the water as they decompose the plants.

Answer 1

The correct answer is: The bacteria use oxygen in the water as they decompose the plants. When the aquatic plants die, they begin to decompose and bacteria break down the organic matter, consuming oxygen in the process. This can lead to a decrease in oxygen levels in the water, making it difficult for fish and other aquatic organisms to survive.