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Question #46573
The Question
A farmer irrigates a phosphorus-deficient agricultural field using the effluent collected immediately after the secondary (biological) treatment of sewage. Assuming the effluent has not undergone any tertiary treatment, which of the following represents the most scientifically accurate consequence on the soil-plant ecosystem concerning Glomus species?
Options
- A.
The symbiotic efficiency of Glomus will maximize because the effluent provides the necessary biological flocs for fungal nourishment.
- B.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal formation will be significantly suppressed due to the high residual dissolved phosphate concentration in the effluent.
- C.
Glomus will shift from a symbiotic to a parasitic mode of nutrition due to the sudden influx of high Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) water.
- D.
The fungal hyphae will rapidly absorb the remaining primary sludge, converting it into absorbable phosphorus for the plant.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
Phosphorus removal|Flocs|Symbiosis
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often mistakenly assume that secondary sewage treatment completely 'purifies' water, forgetting that it only removes organic matter (lowers BOD) while leaving inorganic nutrients (N and P) intact.
The secondary pivot requires linking this to plant ecology: mutualistic symbioses (like Mycorrhiza for Phosphorus) are resource-dependent and are actively suppressed by the host plant when the target nutrient is artificially abundant in the soil.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Microbes in Human Welfare - Class 12 |
| Concept | Primary vs Secondary Sewage Treatment |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |