What are the main causes of eutrophication?

The most common nutrients causing eutrophication are nitrogen N and phosphorus P. The main source of nitrogen pollutants is run-off from agricultural land, whereas most phosphorus pollution comes from households and industry, including phosphorus-based detergents.

What are 4/5 Possible causes of eutrophication?

Where do nutrients come from?

• Agricultural Sources. Chemical fertilizers. Manure. Aquaculture.
• Urban and Industrial Sources.
• Fossil Fuel Sources.

What are the causes and effects of eutrophication?

“Eutrophication is an enrichment of water by nutrient salts that causes structural changes to the ecosystem such as: increased production of algae and aquatic plants, depletion of fish species, general deterioration of water quality and other effects that reduce and preclude use”.

What causes artificial eutrophication?

Fertilizer from farms, lawns, and gardens is the largest source of nutrients that cause artificial eutrophication. Phosphates in some laundry and dish-washing detergents are another major cause of eutrophication . Phosphorus is a plant nutrient that can cause the excessive growth of algae.

How is excess N and P related to eutrophication?

Excess N and P in aquatic systems can stimulate production of plant (including algae and vascular plants) and microbial biomass, which leads to depletion of dissolved oxygen, reduced transparency, and changes in biotic community composition — this is called eutrophication [1].

How does eutrophication affect the quality of water?

In addition to the impacts on aquatic life, excess nutrients can also degrade aesthetics of recreational waters [2,3,4], and increase the incidence of harmful algal blooms, which may endanger human health through the production of toxins that can contaminate recreational and drinking water resources[5,6].

How is nutrient loading restriction used to manage eutrophication?

In this paper we briefly review the process, the impacts, and the potential management of cultural eutrophication in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems. We present two brief case studies (one freshwater and one marine) demonstrating that nutrient loading restriction is the essential cornerstone of aquatic eutrophication control.

Who are the leading experts on eutrophication?

© 2013 Natur e Ed uc ati on Pho to s b y M ark P e te r m an and M ich ae l Ch is l oc k. All r ig h ts re s er ved . I lyana Berry, Dr. John B erry, and D r.