phytoplankton

Question

"sometimes too much or too little of a substance can be dangerous to life and the environment"

 

discuss how this statement applies to phytoplankton such as algae. ( what happens when there is too little of phytoplankton? what happens when there is too much of phytoplankton? )

Answer 1

Brittany,

 

In a balanced ecosystem, phytoplankton or microalgae can convert inorganic nutrients (sulfur,  nitrates and phosphates) into protein, fats etc. and provide nutrients for other aquatic animals such as whales, shrimps,  snails, sea-anemone and other aquatic organisms. In an ecosystem abundant with nutrients, these microalgae form harmful algal blooms known as HABs that secrete toxins that are detrimental to aquatic life. In other words abundance of phytoplankton along with abundant inorganic nutrients could be harmful for aquatic wild-life.

 

Hope this helps.