In an ecosystem, marsh snails feed on phytoplankton and painted turtles feed on marsh snails. pollution has resulted in the depletion of phytoplankton. what effect would this situation likely have on the populations of marsh snails and painted turtles? the population of marsh snails will decrease, but the population of painted turtles will increase. the population of marsh snails will increase, but the population of painted turtles will decrease. the populations of marsh snails and painted turtles will increase. the populations of marsh snails and painted turtles will decrease. the populations of marsh snails and painted turtles will not be affected.

answer: the populations of marsh snails and painted turtles will decrease.

a food chain is a linear sequence of transfer of food and energy when one organism is eaten up by other organism. the phytoplankton is the example of primary producers which is the first trophic level of the food chain. these are consumed by marsh snails which are considered as primary consumers. these belong to second trophic level. these marsh snails are eaten up by painted turtles which are secondary consumers and belong to tertiary consumers. the depletion in phytoplankton population as a result of pollution will affect the higher trophic levels. therefore, population of mud snails and painted turtles will decrease.