Answer :
Answer: D) to make sure that the pond is safe for fish and other members of the ecosystem.
Explanation:
The phosphate is a chief ingredient of fertilizers used for the growth of crops in an agricultural field. The phosphate and other minerals are added to the neighboring water bodies by the surface runoff. The accumulation of such minerals will promote the process of eutrophication. Eutrophication refers to the increase in growth of plants and algae on surface of water due to excess increase in inorganic minerals like phosphates in the water. This process will decrease the concentration of oxygen in the water body and will result in mortality of aquatic animals.
According to the given situation, the levels of phosphates in the local water supply should be low so that eutrophication does not occur. This can be evident by observing the health of the fish and other aquatic animals of the ecosystem.