Which type of microorganism would benefit from high levels of oxygen for growth?

Aerobic microorganisms thrive in environments where oxygen is plentiful because they require oxygen for their metabolic processes. These organisms utilize oxygen in cellular respiration to generate energy, which is critical for their growth and reproduction. The presence of oxygen allows aerobic microbes to efficiently break down organic compounds, producing energy in the form of ATP while simultaneously generating byproducts such as carbon dioxide and water.

In contrast, facultative anaerobes can grow in both the presence and absence of oxygen, but their growth is typically faster when oxygen is available due to the more efficient energy production. Microaerophiles require lower levels of oxygen than what is found in the atmosphere for optimal growth, while obligate anaerobes are harmed or killed by the presence of oxygen, relying instead on fermentation or anaerobic respiration for energy production. Hence, aerobic microorganisms are specifically adapted to benefit from high levels of oxygen, making them the best choice for this question.