How do aquatic ecosystems typically respond to increased pollution?

Aquatic ecosystems typically respond to increased pollution with declines in species diversity. When pollutants such as chemicals, heavy metals, or excess nutrients enter an aquatic environment, they can create conditions that are harmful or even lethal to many organisms. Sensitive species that are unable to tolerate these changes often decline in number or disappear entirely. As a result, the overall biodiversity of the ecosystem diminishes.

Declining species diversity can disrupt the ecological balance, as each species plays a unique role in the ecosystem, contributing to functions such as nutrient cycling, habitat structure, and food web dynamics. The loss of diverse species can make the ecosystem less resilient to further stressors, such as climate change or additional pollution, ultimately leading to reduced productivity and stability.

In contrast, increased pollution generally does not support the idea of greater diversity or resilience, nor does it enhance self-cleaning processes or yield higher fishing outputs. The impact of pollution usually leads to a less healthy and more unbalanced ecosystem.