Chemistry Quarterly Exam 3 Practice 2025 – Complete Study Guide

In the context of an adsorption process in aquatic ecosystems, the consumption of dissolved phosphates typically refers to the biological uptake of these nutrients by organisms such as plants and algae. When organisms consume dissolved phosphates, it results in a decrease in the concentration of these phosphates in the water.

Shifting the reaction to the left indicates that the equilibrium of a chemical reaction is being altered. In this case, the consumption of phosphates effectively reduces their availability in the water, which can shift the equilibrium of any associated reactions involving phosphates to favor the reactants, leading to a net increase in the formation of more phosphate from the available reactants. This is representative of Le Chatelier's principle, which states that if a system at equilibrium is disturbed, the system will adjust itself to counteract the disturbance. Therefore, as phosphates are consumed by biological processes, it forces the equilibrium to shift to compensate for the decrease in concentration.

Thus, the correct answer correctly reflects that the consumption of dissolved phosphates influences the dynamic balance of the system, shifting the reaction to the left to maintain an equilibrium state. This highlights the interconnectedness of nutrient cycling and ecological dynamics in aquatic environments.