There is a concern over the increase in harmful algal blooms in the seawaters of India. What could be the causative factors for this phenomenon? 1. Discharge of nutrients from the estuaries. 2. Run-off from the land during the monsoon. 3. Upwelling in the seas. Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

Question

YESPYQ · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3. A rapid rise in the population of algae in an aquatic system is known as an algal bloom, marine bloom, or water bloom. Algal blooms can appear in both marine and freshwater habitats. “Harmful algal blooms (HAB)” are blooms that can af- fect wildlife or the environment. Harmful Algal Bloom can lead to fish die-offs, cities cutting off water to residents, or states having to close fisheries. Statement 1 is correct: Estuaries receive nutrient-rich water from rivers which can include agricultural runoff, sewage, and industrial effluents. These nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus promote the growth of algae causing algal blooms. Statement 2 is correct: Heavy rainfall during the monsoon season can cause significant runoff from agricultural fields, urban areas, and other land surfaces. This runoff can carry fertilizers, pesticides, and other nutrients into the sea, pro- viding the necessary conditions for algal blooms Statement 3 is correct: Water that rises to the surface as a re- sult of upwelling is typically colder and is rich in nutrients, which

Practice more Environment PYQs

More UPSC Environment PYQs