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What would happen if phytoplankton of an ocean is completely destroyed for some reason?
1.The ocean as a carbon sink would be adversely affected.
2.The food chains in the ocean would be adversely affected.
3.The density of ocean water would drastically decrease.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
  • a)
     1 and 2 only
  • b)
     2 only
  • c)
     3 only
  • d)
     1, 2 and 3
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
What would happen if phytoplankton of an ocean is completely destroyed...
1 and 2 only
Explanation:Density would increase
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Most Upvoted Answer
What would happen if phytoplankton of an ocean is completely destroyed...
The Role of Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton are microscopic organisms that play a crucial role in marine ecosystems. They are the foundation of the aquatic food web and significantly influence global carbon cycles.
1. Impact on Ocean as a Carbon Sink
- Phytoplankton absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, acting as a major carbon sink.
- Their destruction would reduce the ocean's ability to sequester carbon, leading to increased atmospheric CO2 levels.
- This could exacerbate climate change and global warming.
2. Disruption of Food Chains
- Phytoplankton serve as the primary food source for many marine organisms, including zooplankton, fish, and larger marine mammals.
- A complete loss of phytoplankton would collapse food chains, leading to mass starvation of marine life.
- This disruption could result in a significant decline in fish populations, affecting global fisheries and food security.
3. Density of Ocean Water
- While phytoplankton contribute to biological activity, their complete destruction would not drastically decrease the density of ocean water.
- Ocean density is primarily influenced by temperature, salinity, and pressure rather than the biomass of phytoplankton.
- Therefore, this statement is incorrect.
Conclusion
In summary, the correct answer is option 'A' because the elimination of phytoplankton would significantly impact the ocean as a carbon sink and adversely affect marine food chains. However, it would not drastically change the density of ocean water, making statements 1 and 2 true, while 3 is false.
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