A chemical factory discharges its waste that is rich in nitrates into a water body. How
dues it affect the population of fishes in the water bodies ? Explain.
Answers
A chemical factory discharging its waste that is rich in nitrates into a water body can cause water pollution and no doubt this can affect the population of fishes and can cause to ultimate death.
Unlike temperature and dissolved oxygen, the presence of normal levels of nitrates usually does not have a direct effect on aquatic insects or fish. However, excess levels of nitrates in water can create conditions that make it difficult for aquatic insects or fish to survive.
Algae and other plants use nitrates as a source of food. If algae have an unlimited source of nitrates, their growth is unchecked.
A bay or estuary that has the milky colour of pea soup is showing the result of high concentrations of algae. Large amounts of algae can cause extreme fluctuations in dissolved oxygen. Photosynthesis by algae and other plants can generate oxygen during the day. However, at night, dissolved oxygen may decrease to very low levels as a result of large numbers of oxygen consuming bacteria feeding on dead or decaying algae and other plants.