Ozone may convert large organic molecules into smaller ones. These BDOC compounds serve as food for which organisms?

Ozone may convert large organic molecules into smaller ones. These BDOC compounds serve as food for which organisms?

• A. Bacteria
• B. Algae
• C. Viruses
• D. Fungi

Answer: (A)

BDOC is bioavailable dissolved organic carbon—the portion of dissolved organic matter that bacteria can readily metabolize. When ozone breaks large organic molecules into smaller fragments, these pieces become food for bacteria, providing both carbon and energy that support bacterial growth in water systems. Algae require light and different carbon sources, viruses are not food but parasites of cells, and fungi aren’t the primary consumers of readily biodegradable dissolved organics in this context. So, the organisms that use BDOC as food are bacteria.

BDOC is bioavailable dissolved organic carbon—the portion of dissolved organic matter that bacteria can readily metabolize. When ozone breaks large organic molecules into smaller fragments, these pieces become food for bacteria, providing both carbon and energy that support bacterial growth in water systems. Algae require light and different carbon sources, viruses are not food but parasites of cells, and fungi aren’t the primary consumers of readily biodegradable dissolved organics in this context. So, the organisms that use BDOC as food are bacteria.