Under the conditions known as El Niño, the inorganic nutrient content of the seawater off the coast of Peru declines to very low levels. What effect will this likely have on marine life in the area?
A) The lower the levels of minerals, the less polluted the water; hence, most populations will increase.
B) It will result in toxic red tides, which will reduce the populations of many species.
C) It will reduce the abundance of phytoplankton and, consequently, the abundance of other organisms.
D) It will increase the productivity of phytoplankton and, therefore, the productivity of other organisms by allowing sunlight to penetrate deeper into the ocean.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The decline in inorganic nutrient content will reduce the abundance of phytoplankton, which are primary producers, leading to a decrease in the abundance of higher trophic level organisms that rely on phytoplankton for food. This can lead to a decline in overall marine life in the area.

Under the Conditions Known as El Niño, the Inorganic Nutrient