which organism in the food web would contain the lowest of chemical pollutants per individual A top predator such as an orca whale B primary consumer such as zooplankton C producer such as phytoplankton D secondary consumer such as herring
C) producer such as phytoplankton
The organism in the food web that would typically contain the lowest amount of chemical pollutants per individual is C) producer such as phytoplankton.
Phytoplankton are tiny photosynthetic organisms that form the foundation of the marine food web. As they are at the beginning of the food chain, they have less opportunity to accumulate harmful pollutants compared to organisms higher up in the food chain.
Top predators like orca whales (option A) tend to accumulate more pollutants over time through a process called bioaccumulation, where pollutants become more concentrated as they move up the food chain. Similarly, primary consumers like zooplankton (option B) may also accumulate some pollutants depending on their feeding habits and the quality of the water they inhabit.
Secondary consumers like herring (option D) may accumulate even higher levels of pollutants compared to primary consumers, as they consume organisms that may already have accumulated pollutants.
In conclusion, phytoplankton (option C) would generally contain the lowest amount of chemical pollutants per individual in the given food web scenario.
To determine which organism in the food web would contain the lowest chemical pollutants per individual, we need to consider the process of bioaccumulation.
Bioaccumulation refers to the accumulation of substances, including chemical pollutants, in the tissues or organs of an organism over time. As organisms consume other organisms in the food chain, the concentration of pollutants can increase, with each level of the food chain accumulating higher levels of pollutants.
In this context, the organism with the lowest level of chemical pollutants per individual is generally found at the lowest trophic level of the food web, as they have had the least exposure to pollutants.
Based on the given options:
A) The top predator, such as an orca whale, is at the highest trophic level of the food web and consumes other organisms, including those lower down the food chain. As a result, they accumulate the highest levels of pollutants and would not have the lowest concentration.
B) Primary consumers, such as zooplankton, can accumulate some pollutants, but they are generally lower on the food chain and have less exposure compared to higher trophic level organisms. Thus, they are more likely to have a lower concentration of pollutants compared to top predators like orca whales.
C) Producers, such as phytoplankton, are at the base of the food web and are not known to accumulate high amounts of pollutants. They obtain nutrients directly from abiotic sources and are hence likely to have the lowest concentration of pollutants.
D) Secondary consumers, like herring, are higher up the food chain and consume other organisms. Although they are not at the highest trophic level, they are still exposed to pollutants through the organisms they consume. Thus, their pollutant levels are likely to be higher compared to primary consumers and producers.
Considering these factors, the organism most likely to contain the lowest chemical pollutants per individual is C) a producer such as phytoplankton.