The Blood Falls Ecosystem is Driven by Microbes That Reduce

Question

The Blood Falls ecosystem is driven by microbes that reduce ________ and others that oxidize ________.
A) nitrogen; iron
B) phosphorus; nitrogen
C) iron; sulfur
D) sulfur; nitrogen
E) carbon; sulfur

Accepted Answer

The Blood Falls ecosystem is comprised of two types of bacteria: those that reduce iron and those that oxidize sulfur. The reduced iron gives the blood-red appearance to the water flowing out of the glacier, while the oxidized sulfur provides the energy for the bacteria. Therefore, option C is the correct answer as it states that the ecosystem is driven by microbes that reduce iron and ones that oxidize sulfur.