Difference between revisions of "Portal:Eutrophication/Intro"

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'''[[Eutrophication]]''' is the enrichment of water as a result of an increase in [[nutrient]]s, which can have a negative impact on the marine and coastal environment. The negative effects of [[eutrophication]] on marine [[ecosystem]]s includes: [[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. Coastal European areas in particular the Baltic Sea provides an indication as to the negative affects that [[eutrophication]] can have including: the presence of blue-green algae which is potentially harmful to humans as well as the presence of large mats of drifting algae that get deposited along the shorelines and decay.  In order to reduce the negative effects of [[eutrophication]] [[nutrient]] inputs need to be reduced and an integrated management strategy needs to be employed.
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[[Image:Envisatbloom.jpg|200px|thumb|right|<small>Envisat satellite image of an algal bloom across the Barents Sea (Photo Credit: ESA) </small>]]
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<P ALIGN="justify">[[Eutrophication]] ('eu' = true or well; 'trophy' = food) is a leading threat to water quality around the world.
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In the North Sea and English Channel, the phenomenon is related to two major activities: agriculture and industry. This gives an excess of [[nutrients]] ([[nitrogen|nitrates]], [[Phosphorus|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.</P>

Latest revision as of 10:43, 17 February 2014

Envisat satellite image of an algal bloom across the Barents Sea (Photo Credit: ESA)

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.

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