Question 8
2 pts
After reading the paragraph below, answer the question that follows.
The largest estuary in the United States is the Chesapeake Bay, which extends through six states. The Bay
is one of the most productive natural areas in the world. It is home to thousands of plants and animals,
including many commercially important species. The water of the Bay is relatively shallow. Many areas are
no more than 10 feet deep, with an average depth of 3) feet. Light penetrates the shallow water and
supports submerged plants that provide food and shelter for the many species living in the bay ecosystem.
However, like many estuaries, the Bay receives large amounts of fertilizer runoff from farms, lawns, and
wastewater treatment facilities.
Which is the most probable sequence of events when fertilizer runoff reaches the Bay?
Submerged vegetation increases, food for fish and shellfish increases, fish and shellfish
populations increase.
The phytoplankton population increases, food for fish and shellfish increases, fish and shellfish
populations increase.
Submerged vegetation decreases, fish and shellfish feed on decaying plants, phytoplankton feed
on fish and shellfish, commercial fisheries decline.
The phytoplankton population increases, it blocks sunlight to submerged vegetation, submerged
vegetation dies, fish and shellfish populations decrease.
