Difference between revisions of "Portal:Eutrophication/Intro"
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[[Image:Plentiful_plankton.jpg|200px|thumb|right|<small>Envisat satellite image of an algal bloom captured on 19 August 2009 with its Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) instrument (Photo Credit: ESA)</small>]] | [[Image:Plentiful_plankton.jpg|200px|thumb|right|<small>Envisat satellite image of an algal bloom captured on 19 August 2009 with its Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) instrument (Photo Credit: ESA)</small>]] | ||
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[[Eutrophication]] ('eu' = true or well; 'trophy' = food) is a leading threat to water quality around the world. | [[Eutrophication]] ('eu' = true or well; 'trophy' = food) is a leading threat to water quality around the world. | ||
In the North Sea and English Channel, the 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 (an [[algal bloom]]), 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. | In the North Sea and English Channel, the 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 (an [[algal bloom]]), 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. | ||
Revision as of 09:21, 6 November 2013
Eutrophication ('eu' = true or well; 'trophy' = food) is a leading threat to water quality around the world. In the North Sea and English Channel, the 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 (an algal bloom), 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.
