The following questions relate to the following data table of typical fluctuating pH and dissolved oxygen levels in a fish pond with a heavy concentration of algae over a 24-hour period.
Time | Oxygen (ppm) | pH |
2 AM | 4.5 | 7.7 |
4 AM | 2.8 | 7.2 |
6 AM | 2.2 | 6.8 |
8 AM | 2.5 | 6.8 |
10 AM | 3.9 | 7.2 |
NOON | 6.5 | 7.7 |
2 PM | 10.0 | 8.3 |
4 PM | 12.1 | 8.8 |
6 PM | 13.1 | 9.2 |
8 PM | 13.0 | 9.2 |
10 PM | 12.0 | 8.8 |
MIDNIGHT | 10.8 | 8.3 |
In evaluating the data, why do you think the oxygen levels rise and fall over a 24-hour period?
◦ Algae in the water produce more oxygen during the daylight hours than the fish consume.
◦ The fish consume more oxygen during the nighttime hours than algae can produce.
◦ Both of these explain the rise and fall pattern.
◦ Neither of these explains the rise and fall pattern.