$A$ large number of fish are suddenly found floating dead on a lake. There is no evidence of toxic dumping,but you find an abundance of phytoplankton. Suggest a reason for the fish kill.

(N/A) The amount of dissolved oxygen present in water is limited. The abundance of phytoplankton causes depletion of this dissolved oxygen. This is because phytoplankton are degraded by bacteria present in water. For their decomposition,they require a large amount of oxygen. Hence,they consume the oxygen dissolved in water. As a result,the $BOD$ level of water drops,inhibiting the growth of fish and causing excessive fish-kill.