Which of the following is a common algicide used in aquatic environments?

Copper sulfate is widely recognized as a common algicide used in aquatic environments. Its effectiveness lies in its ability to target and kill various types of algae, making it a valuable tool in managing algal blooms in lakes, ponds, and other water bodies. The mechanism by which copper sulfate acts on algae involves disrupting their cellular processes, thus reducing their population and preventing the negative impacts of excessive algal growth, such as oxygen depletion and water quality degradation.

In contrast, glyphosate is primarily a herbicide that targets land-based plants and is not specifically formulated for aquatic algae control. Imazapyr is also a herbicide typically used for controlling invasive terrestrial vegetation and is not effective as an algicide. Similarly, 2,4-D is chiefly a herbicide for controlling certain aquatic and non-aquatic plants but does not have the targeted efficacy required for managing algal populations.

Therefore, the identification of copper sulfate as a common algicide underscores its established role in maintaining ecological balance in aquatic systems and effectively addressing algal-related challenges.