What is the news? 

• • The recent phenomenon of the Puducherry sea turning red has sent ripples of concern across the environmental landscape.

• • A National Green Tribunal (NGT) panel attributed this alarming discoloration to a plankton crash, highlighting the delicate balance of our marine ecosystems.

What Panel found?

• • The panel ruled out algal bloom and contamination from a nearby paper manufacturing unit, stating that the unit’s operations did not coincide with the discolouration incidents.

• • Instead, the panel identified high iron concentration as a potential factor favouring plankton bloom.

• • Environmental parameters such as sea surface temperature, salinity, pH, and dissolved oxygen were found conducive to the proliferation of this species.

What Caused the Red Tide?

Plankton are microscopic organisms that form the base of the marine food chain. A sudden and massive decline in a specific type of phytoplankton, Noctiluca scintillans, is believed to be the culprit behind the red coloration. This phenomenon, often referred to as a “red tide,” can be triggered by various factors, including:

• • Nutrient pollution: Excessive nutrient runoff from agricultural lands or sewage can create an environment conducive to explosive phytoplankton growth. When this growth becomes unsustainable and crashes, it leads to a depletion of oxygen, suffocating other marine life.

• • Climate change: Rising sea temperatures and changes in ocean currents can disrupt the delicate balance of marine ecosystems, impacting plankton life cycles and contributing to red tides.

Ecological Implications of a Plankton Crash

The consequences of a red tide can be far-reaching. Here are some of the potential impacts:

• • Reduced oxygen levels: Dead and decaying plankton deplete oxygen in the water, creating hypoxic zones where other marine organisms struggle to survive.
  • Disruption of the food chain: Plankton depletion affects the entire food chain, impacting fish populations and ultimately affecting human food security.
  • Marine biodiversity loss: Red tides can lead to mass die-offs of fish, invertebrates, and other marine life, causing significant biodiversity loss.

Learning from the Red Tide

The Puducherry incident serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of our environment. It underscores the urgent need for:

• • Pollution control: Implementing stricter regulations and practices to minimize nutrient runoff from agricultural lands and sewage systems.

• • Climate action: Addressing climate change by mitigating greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to prevent further disruptions to marine ecosystems.

• • Sustainable practices: Promoting sustainable fishing practices and protecting coastal ecosystems are vital for the long-term health of our oceans.

• • The red tide in Puducherry is a wake-up call. It’s time to adopt a more responsible approach towards our oceans to ensure their health and the well-being of the countless species that depend on them.

What is Plankton Crash?

• • A plankton crash is a sudden and dramatic decline in the population of plankton within a body of water, like an ocean, lake, or pond. Plankton are microscopic organisms that play a vital role in the marine ecosystem, forming the base of the food chain for many fish and other aquatic creatures.

Here’s a breakdown of what happens during a plankton crash:

• Normal Scenario: Plankton populations typically fluctuate naturally, with growth and decline occurring in a balanced cycle.

• Triggering Factors: Various factors can trigger a plankton crash, including:

• • Nutrient Pollution: Excessive nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff or sewage can cause an initial boom in plankton growth. However, when these nutrients become depleted, it leads to a crash as the phytoplankton population can no longer sustain itself.

• • Climate Change: Rising water temperatures and changes in ocean currents can disrupt the delicate balance required for healthy plankton growth.

• • Overfishing: When large numbers of fish are removed from the ecosystem, it can disrupt the food chain and indirectly affect plankton populations.

Consequences: A plankton crash can have significant ecological consequences:

• • Reduced Oxygen Levels: As dead plankton decompose, they consume oxygen in the water. This can create “dead zones” where oxygen levels are too low to support other marine life.

• • Disrupted Food Chain: A decline in plankton affects the entire food chain. Fish populations feeding on plankton decline, impacting fisheries and potentially human food security.

• • Biodiversity Loss: Plankton crashes can lead to mass die- offs of fish, invertebrates, and other marine life, causing a loss of biodiversity.

Examples:

• • The recent red tide phenomenon in Puducherry, India, is an example of a plankton crash. In this case, a specific type of phytoplankton called Noctiluca scintillans experienced a rapid decline, leading to the red coloration of the water.

Importance:

• • Understanding plankton crashes is crucial for protecting our oceans and maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. By addressing issues like pollution control, sustainable fishing practices, and mitigating climate change, we can work towards preventing such events and ensuring the health of our planet’s vital marine life.

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General Studies

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1 / 6

Category: General Studies

Consider the following statements about plankton crashes:

(a) They are caused by a sudden decline in the population of microscopic organisms in water bodies.
(b) They can lead to the formation of "dead zones" with very low oxygen levels.
(c) They can disrupt the food chain and impact fish populations.

Choose the correct answer:

Only (a) and (b)

Only (b) and (c)

Only (a) and (c)

All of the above

Answer is D

• • Explanation: All three statements are true. Plankton crashes involve a rapid decline in plankton populations, leading to oxygen depletion (dead zones) and disruption of the food chain as fish lose their primary food source.

2 / 6

Category: General Studies

Plankton crashes can disrupt the marine ecosystem by:

Increasing the overall oxygen levels in the water

Creating "dead zones" with very low oxygen levels

Introducing new nutrients into the food chain

Enhancing the growth of coral reefs

Answer: (b) Creating "dead zones" with very low oxygen levels

• • Explanation: Decomposing dead plankton depletes oxygen in the water, leading to "dead zones" unsuitable for most marine life. Plankton crashes wouldn't directly increase oxygen or introduce new nutrients. While some plankton can contribute to coral reef growth, a crash wouldn't be beneficial.

3 / 6

Category: General Studies

A recent phenomenon observed in Puducherry, where the sea turned red, is most likely associated with:

Extensive coral bleaching

A decline in a specific type of phytoplankton

Introduction of an invasive fish species

Increase in salinity levels

Answer: (b) A decline in a specific type of phytoplankton

• • Explanation: The editorial mentions a plankton crash, specifically a decline in Noctiluca scintillans (phytoplankton), as the cause of the red coloration. Coral bleaching, invasive species, and salinity changes wouldn't typically cause widespread red coloration.

4 / 6

Category: General Studies

A major factor contributing to plankton crashes can be:

Stringent regulations on agricultural practices

Increased investment in sustainable fishing techniques

Excessive nutrient runoff from agricultural lands

Reduced greenhouse gas emissions

Answer: (c) Excessive nutrient runoff from agricultural lands

• • Explanation: Nutrient pollution can create an initial boom in plankton growth, followed by depletion when nutrients become scarce, leading to a crash. Stringent regulations, sustainable fishing, and reduced emissions are positive steps but wouldn't directly trigger a crash.

5 / 6

Category: General Studies

A key strategy for mitigating the negative effects of plankton crashes includes:

Introducing genetically modified fish species

Encouraging unregulated coastal development projects

Establishing marine protected areas for ecosystem conservation

Delaying research on plankton population dynamics

Answer: (c) Establishing marine protected areas for ecosystem conservation

• • Explanation: Marine protected areas can help conserve biodiversity and promote ecosystem resilience, allowing for natural recovery from disturbances like plankton crashes. Modified fish species could disrupt the ecosystem further, unregulated development would harm the environment, and research is crucial for understanding and managing such events.

6 / 6

Category: General Studies

The red coloration observed in the Puducherry incident is a potential indicator of:

Increased productivity and health of the marine ecosystem

Disruption in the balance of a specific type of plankton

Successful implementation of pollution control measures

Abundance of commercially valuable fish stocks

Answer: (b) Disruption in the balance of a specific type of plankton

• • Explanation: The editorial explains that the red color is linked to a decline in Noctiluca scintillans, indicating a disruption in the ecosystem. Increased productivity wouldn't cause red coloration, pollution control wouldn't directly lead to red tides, and abundant fish stocks wouldn't cause the phenomenon.

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UPSC History Mains Questions:

Model Answer:

Causes of Plankton Crashes:

• • Nutrient Pollution: Excessive nutrient runoff from agricultural lands and sewage systems can create conditions for explosive phytoplankton growth. When these nutrients become depleted, a crash occurs as the phytoplankton population can no longer sustain itself.
  • Climate Change: Rising sea temperatures and changes in ocean currents can disrupt the delicate balance required for healthy plankton growth.
  • Overfishing: Disruption of the food chain through overfishing can indirectly affect plankton populations.

Ecological Consequences of Plankton Crashes:

• • Reduced Oxygen Levels: Decomposition of dead plankton depletes oxygen in the water, creating hypoxic zones where other marine life struggles to survive.
  • Disrupted Food Chain: Decline in plankton impacts the entire food chain, affecting fish populations and human food security.
  • Marine Biodiversity Loss: Mass die-offs of fish, invertebrates, and other marine life can occur, leading to significant biodiversity loss.

Measures for Ocean Health:

• • Pollution Control: Implementing stricter regulations and practices to minimize nutrient runoff from agriculture and sewage systems.
  • Climate Action: Addressing climate change by mitigating greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to prevent further disruptions to marine ecosystems.
  • Sustainable Practices: Promoting sustainable fishing practices and protecting coastal ecosystems are vital for long-term ocean health.
  • Marine Protected Areas: Establishing and enforcing marine protected areas can help conserve marine biodiversity and promote ecosystem resilience.
  • Monitoring and Research: Continued monitoring of marine ecosystems and research on plankton dynamics is crucial for early warnings and better management strategies.

Model Answer:

Role of Plankton:

Plankton are microscopic organisms that drift in the water column and form the base of the marine food chain. They are broadly categorized into phytoplankton (plant-like) and zooplankton (animal-like).

• • Phytoplankton: Phytoplankton play a vital role in the marine ecosystem by performing photosynthesis, converting sunlight and carbon dioxide into organic matter and oxygen. They are the primary producers in the ocean, similar to plants on land.
  • Zooplankton: Zooplankton feed on phytoplankton and other organic matter, transferring energy up the food chain to fish and other marine animals.

Potential Impact of Plankton Decline:

A decline in plankton populations can have significant consequences:

• • Reduced Oxygen Levels: Decomposition of dead plankton depletes oxygen in the water, impacting the survival of other marine life.
  • Disruption of the Food Chain: A decline in plankton affects the entire food chain, impacting fish populations and potentially human food security.
  • Loss of Biodiversity: Reduced food availability due to plankton decline can lead to population declines of fish and other marine life, affecting overall biodiversity.
  • These answers provide a framework for addressing UPSC Mains questions on the topic of plankton crashes. Remember to support your responses with relevant examples and data points whenever possible.

Remember: These are just sample answers. It’s important to further research and refine your responses based on your own understanding and perspective. Read entire UPSC Current Affairs.

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