Eutrophication
Definition
Eutrophication, sometimes known as hypertrophication, is the process by which a body of water becomes enriched in dissolved nutrients (such as phosphates) that stimulate the growth of aquatic plant life usually resulting in the depletion of dissolved oxygen. [1] Some results of eutrophication include algal blooms, dead zones, and large scale fish kills.
Causes
While eutrophication is usually a natural process that takes place over the course of hundreds of years, it has in recent decades been negatively influenced and accelerated due to human influence. Naturally occurring eutrophication happens on geologic time scales, [3] but as mentioned, that is no longer the case in most places due to anthropogenic or cultural eutrophication. Cultural eutrophication occurs through either non-point source or point source pollution at the hands of humans. [2]
Consequences
Prevention & Reversal
References
1. Eutrophication. (n.d.). . Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eutrophication. 2. Chislock, M. F., Doster, E., Zitomer, R. A. & Wilson, A. E. (2013) Eutrophication: Causes, Consequences, and Controls in Aquatic Ecosystems. Nature Education Knowledge 4(4):10 3. Callisto, Marcos; Molozzi, Joseline and Barbosa, José Lucena Etham (2014) "Eutrophication of Lakes" in A. A. Ansari, S. S. Gill (eds.), Eutrophication: Causes, Consequences and Control, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-7814-6_5. ISBN 978-94-007-7814-6.