Question

Define eutrophication.

Answer 1

Eutrophication - The process by which a water body becomes enriched in dissolved nutrients like phosphates that stimulate the growth of aquatic plant life usually resulting in the depletion of dissolved oxygen.

• When water from agricultural field flow to rivers and lakes the nutrients present in fertilizers cause the growth of algae in water bodies.
• Algae cover the entire surface of water bodies which leads to depletion of oxygen in the water and also prevents sunlight from reaching aquatic plants and animals thus leading to their death.

Diagram - Eutrophication