AP Environmental Science 8.5 Eutrophication Questions

Practice AP Environmental Science questions on fertilizer runoff, detergents, eutrophication, algal blooms, hypoxia, and dissolved oxygen.

Syllabus
Effective Fall 2025
Course
AP Environmental Science

Exam points

  • explain how nutrient enrichment causes algal blooms, decomposition, oxygen depletion, and aquatic die-offs
  • distinguish eutrophic, hypoxic, and oligotrophic waterways by nutrients, algae, and dissolved oxygen

Question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

The following diagram shows how an area changed over time. The dominant vegetation in each stage is labeled in the diagram. Each roman numeral represents a stage in the ecological process.

Figure for Question 1 — AP Environmental Science

Question (a)

(a)

Explain why an indicator of water quality other than temperature could be altered by the golf course in forest B.

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Question (b)

(b)

Explain how the aquatic organisms living in the lake illustrated in the diagram of forest B are likely to be affected by the new golf course.

Begin your response to this question at the top of a new page in the separate Free Response booklet and fill in the appropriate circle at the top of each page to indicate the question number.

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