What is a potential consequence of high PECQ values?

High PECQ values indicate that concentrations of chemicals or pollutants in a specific environment exceed levels that can potentially cause adverse effects on aquatic organisms. When these levels are elevated, they can lead to several detrimental outcomes, one of which is decreased biodiversity in aquatic environments.

High concentrations of harmful substances can create an environment that is less hospitable for a variety of species, leading to declines in population sizes or even extinctions of sensitive species. This, in turn, can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem as various species rely on one another for survival. The reduction in species diversity can have cascading effects on ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling, food web dynamics, and overall resilience to environmental stresses.

In contrast, the other options do not directly relate to the consequences of high PECQ values. Improved regulatory compliance, enhanced public support for environmental initiatives, and reduction in chemical manufacturing might occur due to awareness and regulatory actions related to pollution but are not direct consequences of high PECQ values themselves.