Dead Zone (Open Note Lab Grade) (2023)

What happens to the dissolved oxygen (the oxygen that is in the water) between May 1st and 15th based on the data in Figure 1.

Phytoplankton carry out photosynthesis. What do you think typically happens to the phytoplankton population in the spring, when solar energy to the Gulf of Mexico region increases after winter.

What do you think would happen to the concentration of carbon dioxide in the water during the same time period, May 1-15?

Describe what is happening to dissolved oxygen (oxygen in the water) between May 15th and 31st, based on the data in Figure 2.

Consumers and decomposers that eat the phytoplankton are also present In the Gulf of Mexico. As the phytoplankton population increases, so do the populations of consumers and decomposers. How might the presence of increased numbers of consumers and decomposers help explain the decrease in the oxygen concentration?

Be sure to mention the process that consumers perform.

Make your model below OR make your model on paper.

Each phytoplankton only lives a few days. When they die, they sink to the bottom, where they are decomposed by bacteria. As more and more phytoplankton die and fall to the bottom, what do you expect happens to bacteria populations?

What process do decomposers (consumers) use to break down dead organisms in order to create energy.