Question

What happens during eutrophication?

Answer 1

Eutrophication:

1. Eutrophication is the gradual increase in the concentration of phosphorous, nitrogen, and other phytonutrients in aged aquatic ecosystems such as lakes.
2. During eutrophication, the water body gets overly enriched by nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus.
3. The productivity and fertility of these ecosystems naturally increase as the amount of organic matter that can be broken down into nutrients increases.
4. This also causes explosive growth of algae, leading to algae blooms.
5. Aquatic blooms, or high concentrations of algae and microorganisms, often form on the surface and interfere with the light transmission and oxygen uptake required by aquatic organisms.
6. It causes a general foul smell, blocking the sunlight & depleting the oxygen of the water body for aquatic life.
7. Eutrophic water is often turbid and cannot support larger animals such as fishes and birds than non-eutrophic water.