The Largest Estuary in the United States Is the Chesapeake

Multiple Choice

The largest estuary in the United States is the Chesapeake Bay, which extends through six states. The Bay is one of the most productive natural areas in the world. It is home to thousands of plants and animals, including many commercially important species. The water of the Bay is relatively shallow. Many areas are no more than 10 feet deep, with an average depth of 30 feet. Light penetrates the shallow water and supports submerged plants that provide food and shelter for the many species living in the bay ecosystem. However, like many estuaries, the Bay receives large amounts of fertilizer runoff from farms, lawns, and wastewater treatment facilities.
-Which is the most probable sequence of events when fertilizer runoff reaches the Bay?

A) Submerged vegetation increases, food for fish and shellfish increases, fish and shellfish populations increase.
B) The phytoplankton population increases, food for fish and shellfish increases, fish and shellfish populations increase.
C) The phytoplankton population increases, it blocks sunlight to submerged vegetation, submerged vegetation dies, fish and shellfish populations decrease.
D) Submerged vegetation decreases, fish and shellfish feed on decaying plants, phytoplankton feed on fish and shellfish, commercial fisheries decline.