Asked by Gisèle Mouawad on Jul 09, 2024

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Which statement accurately describes the sensitivity of a lake to various factors? 

A)  Lakes less vulnerable to pollution than streams because of flushing and larger volumes of water. 
B)  As lake water temperature decreases, oxygen levels decrease. 
C)  Lakes are more vulnerable than streams to contamination by plant nutrients, oil, pesticides, and toxic substances that can destroy bottom life. 
D)  Stratification increases levels of dissolved oxygen in lakes, especially in the bottom layer.

Contamination

The presence of unwanted substances or pollutants in the environment or in a material, often causing harm or decreasing quality.

Stratification

The layering or division of society into classes, or the layering of sediments or particles in geological formations.

  • Identify the environmental consequences of various contaminants in aquatic ecosystems.
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DO
Darrionne OwensJul 14, 2024
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
Lakes are generally more vulnerable to contamination by various pollutants due to their larger size and less frequent flushing. Plant nutrients, oil, pesticides, and toxic substances can accumulate in lakes, leading to the destruction of bottom life and other negative impacts on the ecosystem.

Answer: B
Temperature has a significant impact on dissolved oxygen levels in lakes. As lake water temperature decreases, oxygen levels also decrease, which can cause problems for aquatic organisms that require oxygen to survive.

Answer: A and D are incorrect
Option A is not entirely accurate, as larger volumes of water do not necessarily make lakes less vulnerable to pollution. Option D is also incorrect because while stratification can impact dissolved oxygen levels, it does not increase it in the bottom layer.