Of the following, which is the most likely consequence of a manufacturing plant dumping its chemical waste into a nearby stream?
increased oxygen levels in the water
decreased flow rate of the stream
loss of a keystone species
an algal bloom <- my answer
My question is wouldn't also cause the loss of a keystone species?
Yes, the dumping of chemical waste into a nearby stream can indeed cause the loss of a keystone species. Keystone species are organisms that play a crucial role in maintaining the balance and biodiversity of an ecosystem. They have a disproportionately large impact on their environment relative to their abundance.
To understand why a manufacturing plant dumping chemical waste can lead to the loss of a keystone species, we first need to understand the negative effects of chemical waste on the stream ecosystem. Chemical waste can contaminate the water, altering its chemical composition and introducing toxins. This pollution can have several detrimental effects on the organisms living in the stream, such as:
1. Toxicity: Chemical waste can be toxic to many aquatic organisms, including keystone species. If a keystone species is particularly sensitive to the toxic elements in the waste, it may suffer population decline or even local extinction. This loss can have cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.
2. Decreased water quality: Chemical waste can degrade water quality by decreasing oxygen levels, altering pH levels, and introducing harmful substances. These changes can negatively impact the survival of both keystone species and other organisms in the ecosystem.
3. Disruption of food webs: Keystone species often occupy important positions in the food web, and their presence affects the populations of other organisms. If a keystone species is negatively affected or lost due to chemical waste pollution, other species that depend on it for food or habitat may also suffer and potentially decline or disappear altogether.
While an algal bloom is also a likely consequence of chemical waste pollution, causing a range of other problems, including decreased oxygen levels and the disruption of the ecosystem, the loss of a keystone species is indeed a potential consequence as well. It's important to consider the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the significant role that keystone species play in maintaining their balance and function.