Eutrophication

Eutrophication

The enrichment of a body of water due to nitrates and phosphates, that results in depletion of the oxygen content of the water. Eutrophication is accelerated by human activities that add detergents, sewage, or agricultural fertilizers to bodies of water.

hypoxia

A condition in which the body or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply at the tissue level. 

anoxia

Absence or lack of oxygen.

impacts of ecosystem services (3)

• Provisioning services

  : these are the benefits of 

  natural resources for humans. Eutrophication can kill fish, reducing food sources and incomes in the fishing industry. It also contaminates water, making it unsuitable for drinking or agriculture.

• Regulating and supporting services: Eutrophication disrupts food webs and can lead to the collapse of aquatic ecosystems,

• Cultural services

  : Humans value water bodies for their aesthetic and recreational aspects. Algal blooms emitting foul odours, unsightly and often toxic, make water bodies less appealing and unsafe for activities like swimming, boating, or fishing.

Reduction of human activities

• Farms can reduce use of synthetic fertiliser

• Households can reduce use of detergents

• Industry can reduce use of phosphates and nitrates in manufacturing processes.

Reduction of the release of pollution

• Buffer zones can be planned between farms and water bodies, to help absorb excess nutrients before they can enter the water.

• Household and industrial sewage can be treated to reduce the nutrient concentrations, making it safer to release into water bodies

dredging

The process of removing silt and other material from the bottom of water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, and seas.

aeration

• Process in which air is circulated through a soil or liquid. can improve dissolved oxygen levels for organisms.

Introduction of native species

a eutrophic water body helps absorb excess nutrients to prevent algal growth, and introducing fish species that consume algae also helps.