A large amount of untreated sewage entered the river. Many fish died. Untreated sewage contains organic matter and bacteria. Explain why many fish died. (5)

Sewage entering the water caused plants to die.Bacteria then decayed this dead organic plant matter (1) through digestion (1).These bacteria will carry out aerobic respiration, using oxygen (1).This therefore lowered the oxygen concentration in the water (1).Therefore this meant fish could no longer carry out sufficient aerobic respiration, reducing their energy production and therefore they died (1).


JC
Answered by Joy C. Biology tutor

14020 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is the 'lock and key' hypothesis?


What organelles do plant cells have that animal cells do not? Why do plant cells need these additional organelles?


Compare anaerobic respiration in a yeast cell with anaerobic respiration in a muscle cell (3 marks)


What's the difference between Mitosis and Meiosis?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning