How Does Oxygen Become Available To Animals And Plants Living In Water And Soil?
Key Notes :
- Photosynthesis: Plants and some types of algae in water and on soil perform photosynthesis. They use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce oxygen and glucose. The oxygen released during photosynthesis becomes available to other organisms.
- Aquatic Plants: Plants that grow in water, such as water lilies, release oxygen through tiny openings in their leaves. This oxygen dissolves in the water and can be used by aquatic animals like fish and insects.
- Diffusion: Oxygen from the atmosphere can dissolve in water or soil. This dissolved oxygen is essential for aquatic animals like fish and some bacteria living in the soil.
- Aerobic Bacteria: In soil, there are aerobic bacteria that require oxygen to survive. These bacteria help decompose organic matter and release oxygen in the process, which benefits plants and other soil organisms.
- Oxygen Exchange in Water: In aquatic ecosystems, oxygen can also be exchanged at the surface where water and air meet. This exchange happens through diffusion, wind action, and the movement of water.
- Circulation: In bodies of water, natural water circulation, such as currents and tides, helps distribute oxygen throughout the water column, making it available to a variety of aquatic life.
- Oxygen Depletion: Human activities like pollution and excess nutrients can lead to oxygen depletion in water, creating “dead zones” where oxygen levels are too low to support most aquatic life.
- Respiration: Just as animals on land, animals in water and soil also need oxygen for respiration. They take in dissolved oxygen from their environment to breathe and release carbon dioxide as a waste product.
- Wetlands: Wetlands, like swamps and marshes, are important for maintaining oxygen levels in water and soil. They act as natural filters, helping to purify water and providing oxygen for a variety of organisms.
- Human Responsibility: It’s important for humans to protect and preserve aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems to ensure a continuous supply of oxygen for plants and animals. Pollution and habitat destruction can disrupt this delicate balance.
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