Question

Phosphate pollution is caused by

• A. Sewage and agricultural fertilizers
• B. Weathering of phosphate rocks only
• C. Agricultural fertilizers only
• D. Phosphate rocks and sewage

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Sewage and agricultural fertilizers

The correct option is A.

Explanation of the correct option:

1. The fertilizers that enter the water body due to agricultural runoff and the sewage contain a huge amount of phosphorus.
2. This phosphorus leads to tremendous algal growth leading to the algal bloom(thick green layer on water body).
3. The algal bloom results in a decrease in the dissolved oxygen level of the water body.
4. Thus, phosphate pollution is majorly caused due to untreated sewage and agricultural fertilizers.

Final answer: Phosphate pollution is caused by sewage and agricultural fertilizers.