All questions of Aquatic Ecosystem for BPSC (Bihar) Exam

Consider the following statements about the effects of eutrophication:
1. Affects navigation due to decreased turbidity
2. Increased biomass of inedible toxic phytoplankton
3. Increase in the bloom of gelatinous zooplankton
4. Increase the biomass of benthic and epiphytic algae
Which of these statements is/are correct?
  • a)
    1, 2 and 3 only
  • b)
    2, 3 and 4 only
  • c)
    1, 3 and 4 only
  • d)
    3 and 4 only
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Anshika Basak answered
Effects of Eutrophication:

1. Decreased Turbidity:
- Eutrophication leads to the growth of algae and other aquatic plants, which can decrease the turbidity of water bodies.
- This can affect navigation and reduce the amount of light that penetrates the water, which can harm aquatic plants and animals.

2. Increased biomass of inedible toxic phytoplankton:
- Eutrophication can lead to the growth of inedible toxic phytoplankton, which can be harmful to aquatic organisms and humans.
- These phytoplankton can produce toxins that can cause fish kills, shellfish poisoning, and even illness in humans who consume contaminated seafood.

3. Increase in the bloom of gelatinous zooplankton:
- Eutrophication can also lead to the growth of gelatinous zooplankton, such as jellyfish.
- These blooms can be harmful to fish and other aquatic organisms by competing for resources, and can even cause fish kills.

4. Increase the biomass of benthic and epiphytic algae:
- Eutrophication can lead to an increase in the biomass of benthic and epiphytic algae.
- This can lead to the smothering of other aquatic plants, which can harm fish and other aquatic organisms that rely on these plants for food and habitat.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 'B' as all the given statements except statement 1 are correct.

Consider the following statements:
1. The water temperature changes more rapidly than the temperature of the air.
2. Larger amounts of heat energy must be added to or taken away from water to raise or lower its temperature.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 Only
  • b)
    2 Only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Bhaskar Mehta answered
Explanation:

The correct answer is option 'B', which means that statement 2 only is correct.

Water requires more energy to change its temperature because of its high heat capacity. This means that it takes a larger amount of heat energy to raise or lower the temperature of water compared to air.

Let's break down the given statements to understand why option 'B' is correct:

Statement 1: The water temperature changes more rapidly than the temperature of the air.

This statement is incorrect. In fact, the temperature of water changes more slowly than the temperature of air. This is because water has a higher specific heat capacity than air.

Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one unit of mass of a substance by one degree Celsius. Water has a higher specific heat capacity than air, which means that it takes more energy to raise the temperature of water than it does to raise the temperature of air.

Statement 2: Larger amounts of heat energy must be added to or taken away from water to raise or lower its temperature.

This statement is correct. As mentioned earlier, water has a higher specific heat capacity than air, which means that it takes a larger amount of heat energy to raise or lower the temperature of water compared to air.

In practical terms, this means that water can absorb a lot of heat energy from the environment without experiencing a large change in temperature. This is why large bodies of water, such as oceans and lakes, take a long time to warm up or cool down.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, statement 2 is correct because water has a higher specific heat capacity than air, which means that it takes a larger amount of heat energy to raise or lower the temperature of water compared to air. Statement 1 is incorrect because the temperature of water changes more slowly than the temperature of air due to water's higher specific heat capacity.

Consider the following statements:
1. Mangroves of Bhitarkanika is the largest in the Indian subcontinent
2. Harbour high mangroves found in Gulf of Kachchh
Which of these statements is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 Only
  • b)
    2 Only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Kavita Shah answered
  • The mangroves of Sundarbans are the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangroves of the world.
  • The mangroves of Bhitarkanika (Orissa), which is the second largest in the Indian subcontinent, harbour high mangroves found in Gulf of Kachchh, to taller stands found in the Sunderbans.
  • On the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the small tidal estuaries, neritic inlets and the lagoons support a dense and diverse undisturbed mangrove flora.

Which of the following are correctly matched:
1. Oligotrophic - very high nutrients
2. Mesotrophic - moderate nutrients
3. Eutrophic - very low nutrients
Which of these statements are correct?
  • a)
    1 and 2 Only
  • b)
    2 and 3 Only
  • c)
    1 and 3 Only
  • d)
    2 only
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Aditya Kumar answered
  • Lakes are also classified based on their water chemistry. Based on the levels of salinity, they are known as Freshwater, Brackish or Saline lakes (similar to that of classification of the aquatic ecosystem).
  • Based on their nutrient content, they are categorized as Oligotrophic (very low nutrients), Mesotrophic (moderate nutrients) and Eutrophic (highly nutrient-rich). • Vast majority of lakes in India are either eutrophic or mesotrophic because of the nutrients derived from their surroundings or organic wastes entering them.

These are organisms which remain attached to stems and leaves of rooted plants or substances emerging above the bottom mud such as sessile algae and their associated group of animals. These are:
  • a)
    Neuston
  • b)
    Periphyton
  • c)
    Plankton
  • d)
    Benthos
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Raj Basu answered
Periphyton as Attached Organisms to Plants

Periphyton is a group of organisms that attach themselves to the stems and leaves of rooted plants or substances emerging above the bottom mud. They are also known as benthic algae or epiphyton.

The term “periphyton” is derived from the Greek words peri, meaning “around,” and phyton, meaning “plant.” These organisms include various types of algae, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa.

Periphyton is commonly found in freshwater and marine environments. They play an important role in the aquatic ecosystem by providing food and shelter for many aquatic species.

Importance of Periphyton

Periphyton plays an essential role in the aquatic ecosystem as they are the primary producers. They produce their food through photosynthesis, which is the process of converting sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into organic matter.

Periphyton provides food for many aquatic organisms such as fish, snails, and insects. It also provides a habitat for small aquatic animals, including worms, insects, and crustaceans.

Periphyton is also important in nutrient cycling. They absorb and recycle nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which are essential for the growth of plants and other aquatic organisms.

Conclusion

In conclusion, periphyton is a group of organisms that attach themselves to the stems and leaves of rooted plants or substances emerging above the bottom mud. They are important in the aquatic ecosystem as they provide food, shelter, and play a vital role in nutrient cycling.

Consider the following statements about the Photic zone:
1. It is the lighted and usually well-mixed portion that extends from the lake surface down to where the light level is 1% of that at the surface.
2. Respiration activity takes place.
3. The depth of this zone depends on the transparency of water.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 and 2 Only
  • b)
    2 and 3 Only
  • c)
    1 and 3 Only
  • d)
    All of the above
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Ashwini Verma answered
Explanation:

1. Photic Zone Definition:
- The first statement is correct. The photic zone is the lighted and usually well-mixed portion of a lake that extends from the surface down to where the light level is 1% of that at the surface.

2. Respiration Activity:
- The second statement is also correct. Respiration activity takes place in the photic zone, as it is the layer where photosynthetic organisms like algae and phytoplankton can thrive and produce oxygen through photosynthesis.

3. Depth Dependence on Water Transparency:
- The third statement is correct as well. The depth of the photic zone depends on the transparency of the water. Clearer water allows light to penetrate deeper, resulting in a deeper photic zone, while murky or turbid water may limit the depth of the zone.
Therefore, all the given statements about the photic zone are correct. It is an essential layer in lakes where light penetration supports primary production and sustains the aquatic ecosystem.

The National Lake Conservation Programme (NLCP) considers lakes as standing water bodies which:
1. Have a minimum water depth of 3 m,
2. Generally cover a water spread of more than ten hectares
3. Have no or very little aquatic vegetation
Which of these statements is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 and 2 Only
  • b)
    2 and 3 Only
  • c)
    1 and 3 Only
  • d)
    (d) All of the above
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Mehul Shah answered
National Lake Conservation Programme (NLCP) Definition

The National Lake Conservation Programme (NLCP) is a programme initiated by the Government of India to conserve and manage the country's lakes. According to this programme, lakes are considered as standing water bodies that have a minimum water depth of 3 m, generally cover a water spread of more than ten hectares, and have no or very little aquatic vegetation.

Correct statement/s:

All of the above statements are correct as per the National Lake Conservation Programme (NLCP).

Explanation:

The National Lake Conservation Programme (NLCP) is a programme initiated by the Government of India to conserve and manage the country's lakes. According to this programme, lakes are considered as standing water bodies that have a minimum water depth of 3 m, generally cover a water spread of more than ten hectares, and have no or very little aquatic vegetation.

The first statement, "Have a minimum water depth of 3 m" is correct. This means that the water depth of a lake should be at least 3 meters to be considered as a lake.

The second statement, "Generally cover a water spread of more than ten hectares" is also correct. This means that the water body should generally cover an area of more than ten hectares to be considered as a lake.

The third statement, "Have no or very little aquatic vegetation" is also correct. This means that the lake should have no or very little aquatic vegetation to be considered as a lake. Aquatic vegetation can be harmful to the lake's ecosystem and can cause imbalances in the lake's water quality.

Therefore, all of the above statements are correct as per the National Lake Conservation Programme (NLCP).

Consider the following characteristics of the estuary ecosystem:
1. It has a free connection with open sea
2. An estuary has very little wave action, so it provides a calm refuge from the open sea
Which of these statements is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 Only
  • b)
    2 Only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Rahul Mehta answered
An Estuary is a semi-enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it.
  • It has a free connection with the open sea.
  • The complete salinity range from 0-35 ppt is seen from the head (river end) to the mouth (see end) of an estuary.
  • An estuary has very little wave action, so it provides a calm refuge from the open sea.
  • It provides the shelter for some of the animals.

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