24. Pollution of water: eutrophication

24. Pollution of water: eutrophication

Eutrophication

The process where excess nutrients in water lead to oxygen depletion, causing a decline in the water's suitability as a habitat for living organisms.

Oxygen Depletion

Reduction in the amount of oxygen in water due to pollutants like fertilizers and sewage, impacting the ability of aquatic organisms to respire aerobically.

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

The mass of oxygen consumed by microorganisms in water, indicating the oxygen unavailable for more advanced organisms and reflecting the level of pollution.

Nutrient Enrichment

Increase in nutrients like nitrates and phosphates in water from sources such as fertilizers and sewage, leading to rapid growth of algae and bacteria, disrupting the balance of aquatic ecosystems.

Positive Feedback

A situation where a change from ideal conditions, like excess nutrients in water, causes an even greater deviation from the optimal state, exacerbating the problem of oxygen depletion.

Causes of Eutrophication

Unnaturally high levels of nutrients in water from sources like leaching of fertilizers, raw sewage input, and liquid manure, contributing to the process of eutrophication.

Solutions to Eutrophication

Measures to address eutrophication include treating sewage before entering water bodies, preventing farmyard drainage into rivers and ponds, and controlling fertilizer use to minimize nutrient runoff.