With reference to the planet Earth, consider the following statements
I. Rain forests produce more oxygen than that produced by oceans.
II. Marine phytoplankton and photo synthetic bacteria produce about 50% of world’s Oxygen.
III. Well-oxygenated surface water contains several folds higher oxygen than that in atmospheric air.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
The global oxygen cycle is dominated by marine photosynthesis, not terrestrial ecosystems, which is a common conceptual trap.
Statement I is incorrect. Although rainforests are highly productive, they do not produce more oxygen than oceans. A large part of the oxygen they generate is also consumed internally through respiration and decomposition, resulting in a limited net contribution.
Statement II is correct. Marine phytoplankton and photosynthetic bacteria contribute roughly 50% of global oxygen production. These microscopic organisms form the base of oceanic food chains and are the primary drivers of atmospheric oxygen generation.
Statement III is incorrect. The amount of dissolved oxygen in water is far lower than oxygen in air. Even well-oxygenated surface water contains only a small fraction compared to the ~21% oxygen in the atmosphere.
Thus, only Statement II is correct.