Difference between revisions of "Portal:Eutrophication/Intro"

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[[Image:Sack.jpg|right|thumb|<small>Algal bloom</small>]]
 
[[Image:Sack.jpg|right|thumb|<small>Algal bloom</small>]]
'''[[Eutrophication]]''' is the enrichment of water by '''nutrients''', especially compounds of nitrogen and/or
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phosphorus, causing an '''accelerated growth of algae''' and higher forms of plant life to produce an '''undesirable
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Eutrophication is one of the causes of the deterioration of water quality. In the North Sea and English Channel, this phenomenon is related to two major activities: agriculture and industry. This gives an excess of nutrients (nitrates, phosphates,...) in the water. This enrichment promotes the growth of algae. A small increase in algal biomass does not have any adverse effect on the ecosystem and can even result in an increase in certain fish populations. An over-stimulation of the growth of algae, however, can lead to turbidity of the water. When the algae die, the water may be temporarily low in oxygen (hypoxia) what can result in the death of many fish.
disturbance to the balance of organisms''' present in the water and to the quality of the water concerned.  
 
The negative effects of eutrophication on marine ecosystems include: [[algal bloom]]s, increased growth of macroalgae, increased sedimentation and oxygen consumption, oxygen depletion in the bottom water and sometimes the death of [[benthic]] animals and fish.
 

Revision as of 10:43, 14 August 2012

Algal bloom

Eutrophication is one of the causes of the deterioration of water quality. In the North Sea and English Channel, this phenomenon is related to two major activities: agriculture and industry. This gives an excess of nutrients (nitrates, phosphates,...) in the water. This enrichment promotes the growth of algae. A small increase in algal biomass does not have any adverse effect on the ecosystem and can even result in an increase in certain fish populations. An over-stimulation of the growth of algae, however, can lead to turbidity of the water. When the algae die, the water may be temporarily low in oxygen (hypoxia) what can result in the death of many fish.