Dissolved oxygen refers to the amount of oxygen gas dissolved in water. It is crucial for aquatic organisms as they rely on it for respiration.
Think of dissolved oxygen as the air bubbles in a soda. Just like we need air to breathe, aquatic organisms need dissolved oxygen to survive.
Eutrophication: The process where excessive nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, enter a body of water leading to an overgrowth of algae and a decrease in dissolved oxygen levels.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD): BOD measures the amount of dissolved oxygen consumed by microorganisms during the decomposition of organic matter in water. Higher BOD indicates lower levels of dissolved oxygen.
Aerobic Respiration: The process by which organisms use oxygen to convert glucose into energy, releasing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts.
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