A lake is polluted. The fish in it die. The algae make unpleasant odors. It may be said that:
A) the ecosystem is disturbed
B) biological capital is lost
C) the environment is degraded
D) none of the above
E) all of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pollution of the lake represents a disturbance to the entire ecosystem, impacting both the living organisms (fish) and non-living components (algae). The loss of fish represents a loss of biological capital, as the fish likely provided important ecosystem services, such as being a food source for other organisms. Finally, the pollution causing unpleasant odors is a degradation of the environment, as it impacts the aesthetic quality of the area and potentially human enjoyment of the space.

A Lake Is Polluted