How has stratospheric ozone loss disrupted food webs in the Antarctic?
A)sea turtles are declining as their egg production is affected by increased UV radiation
B)phytoplankton populations are declining because increased UV radiation reduces photosynthetic activity
C)whales exposed to increased UV radiation are getting cancer and dying
D)increased UV radiation warms ocean water temperatures resulting in increasing numbers of krill

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Phytoplankton, which form the base of the Antarctic food web, are sensitive to UV radiation. Increased UV radiation from stratospheric ozone loss reduces their photosynthetic activity, leading to declines in their populations. This has a cascading effect on the entire food web, affecting species that rely on phytoplankton for food.

How Has Stratospheric Ozone Loss Disrupted Food Webs in the Antarctic