Which of the following pollutants most directly threatens aquatic life?

Prepare for the APES Aquatic Pollution Test. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Get detailed hints and explanations for each question to ace your exam!

All of the options listed—heavy metals, plastic waste, and nutrient runoff—pose significant threats to aquatic life, making the selection of all three as directly impactful on aquatic ecosystems justified.

Heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, and cadmium, can be highly toxic even at low concentrations. They accumulate in the tissues of aquatic organisms through a process known as biomagnification, impacting not only the organisms that absorb them but also those higher up in the food chain, including humans. These metals can cause various health issues, including neurological and reproductive problems in aquatic species.

Plastic waste poses a unique threat to aquatic organisms, as it can physically entangle animals or be ingested, leading to injuries, malnutrition, and even death. Additionally, plastics can break down into microplastics, which are consumed by small aquatic organisms and can introduce toxic chemicals into the food web.

Nutrient runoff primarily consists of nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural fertilizers. When these nutrients enter water bodies, they can lead to eutrophication, resulting in algal blooms that reduce oxygen levels in the water. This hypoxic or anoxic condition can lead to fish kills and the collapse of aquatic ecosystems, as many species cannot survive in low-oxygen environments.

Given the serious

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