Without human oversight, water is unable to regulate safe amounts of nutrients dissolved in it. Which of the following is a resulting negative impact that occur in an aquatic ecosystem?
A: Erosion can occur in rivers.
B: Water can evaporate faster.
C: Carbon dioxide can be released.
D: Equilibrium can be disrupted.
D: Equilibrium can be disrupted.
To determine the correct answer, let's analyze each option and its potential impact on the aquatic ecosystem in the absence of water's ability to regulate safe amounts of nutrients dissolved in it:
A: Erosion can occur in rivers.
Erosion is primarily caused by the physical forces of moving water, such as currents and waves. While excess nutrients in the water might indirectly contribute to the growth of vegetation, which can stabilize soil and reduce erosion, this option does not directly address the regulation of nutrients dissolved in water. Therefore, this option is not the correct answer.
B: Water can evaporate faster.
Evaporation occurs when water changes from a liquid to a gas state and is mainly influenced by temperature and atmospheric conditions. The regulation of nutrients dissolved in water doesn't have a direct effect on the rate of evaporation. Hence, this option does not pertain to the negative impact caused by the inability of water to regulate nutrients dissolved in it. Therefore, this option is not the correct answer.
C: Carbon dioxide can be released.
The regulation of dissolved nutrients in water doesn't directly affect the release of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is typically a byproduct of biological processes, such as respiration by aquatic organisms or decomposition of organic matter. While excessive nutrient levels can lead to increased biological activity, which may indirectly influence the release of carbon dioxide, this option does not specifically address the impact of unregulated dissolved nutrients. Therefore, this option is not the correct answer.
D: Equilibrium can be disrupted.
Equilibrium refers to the balance between different factors within an ecosystem. In aquatic ecosystems, water plays a crucial role in maintaining the proper balance of dissolved nutrients. When water is unable to regulate safe amounts of nutrients, an excess of nutrients can occur, leading to an imbalance. This disruption in equilibrium can result in problems like eutrophication, where excessive nutrient levels lead to algal blooms, reduced oxygen levels, and overall ecological damage. As a result, option D is the correct answer.
In summary, the negative impact resulting from water's inability to regulate safe amounts of nutrients dissolved in it is the disruption of equilibrium (option D).