AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Too much phosphorus can cause increased growth of algae and large aquatic plants, which can result in decreased levels of dissolved oxygen– a process called eutrophication.

Detailed explanation-2: -Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plants and animals. However, excessive phosphorus in surface water can cause explosive growth of aquatic plants and algae. This can lead to a variety of water-quality problems, including low dissolved oxygen concentrations, which can cause fish kills and harm other aquatic life.

Detailed explanation-3: -Even a small increase in phosphorus concentration can increase levels of algae, including cyanobacteria. Excessive phosphorus concentration, along with an adequate supply of sunlight, can increase littoral macrophyte abundance and promote algal and/or cyanobacteria blooms, temporarily decreasing water transparency.

Detailed explanation-4: -Too much nitrogen and phosphorus in the water causes algae to grow faster than ecosystems can handle. Significant increases in algae harm water quality, food resources and habitats, and decrease the oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need to survive.

Detailed explanation-5: -Because phosphates are a food source for algae, high phosphates in pool water can promote algae growth. But the presence of high phosphates in the pool or phosphates in the hot tub does not determine whether algae will grow or not. Even a spa or pool with no phosphates can grow algae.