Which statement about aeration and bottom organic matter is accurate?

• A. Aeration helps break down organic matter in the bottom
• B. Aeration increases algae growth
• C. Aeration removes all sediments
• D. Aeration excessively lowers dissolved oxygen

Answer: (A)

Aeration introduces air into the water, raising dissolved oxygen and enabling aerobic microbes in the bottom sediment to break down organic matter more efficiently. When oxygen is available, the bottom organic material can decompose aerobically, reducing muck and improving water quality and odor control. The other statements don’t fit because aeration does not inherently promote algae growth, it does not physically remove all sediments (it may suspend them but not remove them), and it does not excessively lower dissolved oxygen—its primary effect is to increase it.