Question

Organic nutrients in water bodies promote

• A. Growth of the natural population of aquatic bacteria
• B. BOD
• C. Eutrophication
• D. Growth of the natural population of aquatic bacteria, BOD and Eutrophication

Hint:

An increase in BOD always correlates with a decrease in dissolved oxygen (DO), which can lead to fish kills and anaerobic decay in polluted waters.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The discharge of organic nutrients (organic waste and wastewater) into aquatic ecosystems triggers biochemical transformations carried out by microbial populations.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
When organic matter enters a water body:
It serves as an abundant carbon source that accelerates the growth of heterotrophic aquatic bacteria.
These growing bacterial populations consume dissolved oxygen during aerobic decomposition.
This increases the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) of the water body.
The microbial breakdown of organic compounds releases dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus.
This nutrient enrichment accelerates eutrophication and promotes algal blooms.
Therefore, organic inputs promote bacterial growth, increase BOD, and drive eutrophication simultaneously.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Organic nutrients promote the growth of aquatic bacteria, increase BOD, and accelerate eutrophication.