Under the Conditions Known as El Niño, the Inorganic Nutrient

Multiple Choice

Under the conditions known as El Niño, the inorganic nutrient content of the seawater off the coast of Peru declines to very low levels. What effect will this likely have on marine life in the area?

A) The lower the levels of minerals, the less polluted the water; hence, most populations will increase.
B) It will result in toxic red tides, which will reduce the populations of many species.
C) It will reduce the abundance of phytoplankton and, consequently, the abundance of other organisms.
D) It will increase the productivity of phytoplankton and, therefore, the productivity of other organisms by allowing sunlight to penetrate deeper into the ocean.