An oxygen sag curve occurs when
A)Fish population numbers sag.
B)Heavy metals that have entered a stream bind oxygen molecules and remove them from the available oxygen supply.
C)The breakdown of biodegradable wastes by bacteria lowers the available oxygen in the water for organisms with high oxygen requirements.
D)Carbon dioxide values exceed dissolved oxygen values.
E)None of these answers

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An oxygen sag curve occurs when the biodegradable wastes are broken down by bacteria, which lowers the available oxygen in the water for organisms with high oxygen requirements. This phenomenon is typically seen in streams or rivers downstream of wastewater treatment plants or industrial discharges. The breakdown of biodegradable wastes by bacteria is known as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and it is the main cause of oxygen depletion in water bodies.

An Oxygen Sag Curve Occurs When