Asked by Matthew Tyndall on Jul 25, 2024
Verified
You buy a house on a small inland lake and your front lawn ends at the water's edge. A lawn care company representative suggests you fertilize the lawn to keep it lush and green. You agree to the treatment and then, two weeks later, the lake is covered in green algae. The most likely cause of the algae problem is
A) nitrogen.
B) nitrites.
C) sulfates.
D) phosphates.
E) carbon.
Algae Problem
An algae problem refers to the excessive growth of algae in bodies of water, often resulting from nutrient pollution, which can harm aquatic ecosystems and reduce water quality.
Phosphates
Inorganic chemical salts of phosphoric acid, commonly found in fertilizers and cleaning agents, and play a critical role in biological molecules.
- Recognize the impact of human activities on aquatic ecosystems, particularly through nutrient runoff.
Verified Answer
ZK
Zybrea KnightAug 01, 2024
Final Answer :
D
Explanation :
Phosphates are a common ingredient in fertilizers and can contribute to the growth of algae in bodies of water. As the lawn fertilizer likely contained phosphates, it is the most likely cause of the algae problem.
Learning Objectives
- Recognize the impact of human activities on aquatic ecosystems, particularly through nutrient runoff.