Portal:Eutrophication

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Eutrophication

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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Concept drawing

Schematic diagram of the different pathways of nutrient deposition into coastal waters and ensuing processes leading to eutrophication (algal blooms) and hypoxia (Photo credit: Dr. Hans W. Paerl)

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Learn more about eutrophication

European legislations regarding eutrophication

• European policy on eutrophication: introduction
• Barcelona Convention
• Black Sea Convention
• European Marine Strategy Framework Directive
• HELCOM
• Nitrates Directive
• OSPAR
• OSPAR and eutrophication
• Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive
• Water Framework Directive

Eutrophication causes and consequences

• What causes eutrophication?
• Possible consequences of eutrophication
• Case studies eutrophication
  • Ecological impacts of eutrophication
  • Human health impacts of eutrophication
  • Economic impacts of eutrophication
  • Recreational and aesthetic impacts of eutrophication

Monitoring

• Eutrophication parameters and indicators
  • OSPAR eutrophication assessment
    • Category I: Nutrient enrichment
    • Category II: Direct effects of nutrient enrichment
    • Category III: Indirect effects of nutrient enrichment
    • Category IV: Other possible effects of nutrient enrichment
• In situ monitoring of eutrophication
  • Instruments
  • Sensors
• Remote Sensing

Modelling

• Nutrient loading of coastal waters
• Coupled hydrodynamic - water quality - ecological modelling

Eutrophication in the news

• Mysterious Jellyfish Makes a Comeback (Oceanus Magazine, Originally published online February 13, 2014)
• 'Safe' levels of neurotoxin found in seafood may cause kidney damage (FoxNews.com, 07 February 2014)
• Pictures: Extreme Algae Blooms Expanding Worldwide (National Geographic Daily News, 23 April 2013)
• Foam swept in as gales hit Scotland (BBC News, 25 September 2012)
• Brittany beaches hit by toxic algae (The Guardian, 27 July 2011)
• Jellyfish threaten to 'dominate' oceans (ABC Science, 08 June 2009)

Dictionary

• Agglomeration
• Algae
• Anthropogenic
• Aquaculture
• Algal bloom
• Biomass
• Ecosystem
• Eutrophic
• Eutrophication
• Fertilizer
• Harmful algal blooms
• Heterotrophic
• Hypoxia
• In situ
• Non-indigenous species
• Nutrient
• MERIS
• MODIS
• Photosynthesis
• Phytoplankton
• Pollution
• Population equivalent
• Primary production
• Redfield ratio
• Salinity
• SeaWiFS
• Secchi depth
• Secchi disk
• Sensors
• Sun glitter
• Turbidity
• Zooplankton