QUESTION

Medium

Environment & Ecology

Prelims 2025

With reference to the planet Earth, consider the following statements:

I. Rain forests produce more oxygen than that produced by oceans. II. Marine phytoplankton and photosynthetic bacteria produce about 50% of world's oxygen. III. Well-oxygenated surface water contains several folds higher oxygen than that in atmospheric air.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

Oxygen on Earth mainly comes from photosynthesis, especially by phytoplankton (marine organisms), and oxygen levels differ between air and water.

Statement I is incorrect:

  • Oceans (phytoplankton) produce more oxygen than rainforests.

Statement II is correct:

  • Marine phytoplankton and photosynthetic bacteria produce about 50% of the world’s oxygen.

Statement III is incorrect:

  • Atmospheric air has much more oxygen than surface water; water does not contain several folds higher oxygen than air.

So, the correct answer is: B

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