Scientists Are Concerned About the Growing Problem of Dead Zones

Multiple Choice

Scientists are concerned about the growing problem of dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico, which are caused primarily by fertilizer runoff entering the Mississippi River. Which question related to this topic would most likely be studied by an environmental scientist, as opposed to an ecologist?

A) How does the presence of fertilizers in river water affect fish populations along the river?
B) What is the total amount of fertilizer runoff reaching the Gulf of Mexico per year?
C) What economic incentives might be offered to farmers to encourage them to decrease fertilizer runoff?
D) Which types of algae and bacteria undergo population explosions in the Gulf due to increased nutrient content, and during what times of year do they occur?