Eutrophication Essay -- Geology

What is eutrophication? Eutrophication is, in the simplest terms, too much of a good thing. It occurs when too many nutrients are deposited into a personify of water, throwing off the established balance of ware and consumption of thorough matter. Eutrophication can take place in ponds, lakes, rivers, and oceans. At first, the overload of nutrients in the body of water encourages plant growth. However, soon this excess of organic material uses up most of the available oxygen in the water, taking it a mood from the otherwise plants and animals. These other organisms can no longer survive with such(prenominal) depleted oxygen levels and die off, creating what is referred to sometimes as a dead zone, devoid of life. below is a table of the different trophic states, or levels of organic matter in relation to available oxygen, that a body of water traverses on its way to becoming a dead zone. trophic STATESOligotrophic Clear waters with little organic matter or sediment and mi nimum biological activity.Mesotrophic wet with more nutrients, and therefore, more biological productivity.Eutrophic Waters exceedingly rich in nutrients, with high biological productivity. Some species may be choked out.Hypereutrophic Murky, passing juicy waters, closest to the wetland status. Many clearwater species cannot survive.Dystrophic Low in nutrients, highly colored with dissolved humic organic material. (Not necessarily a part of the natural trophic progression.) hold up to top What causes eutrophication? Eutrophication of bodies of water is a naturally occurring phenomenon. However, the summons has been aggravated by the human population. Such man-made eutrophication is caused by excessive discharge of nutrien... ...less * and being a responsible boater by pumping out wastes. gumption to top Resources1. environmental Agency, http//www.environment-agency.gov.uk/s-enviro/viewpoints/4health/3eutroph/4-3.html2. Eutrophication, http//www.btnep.org/pages/eutro phication1.html 3. Fish Kills do to Harmful Algal Blooms, http//www.redtide.whoi.edu/hab/foodweb/fishkills.html4. Harmful Algal Bloom scene Gallery, http//habserv1.whoi.edu/hab/rtphotos/rtphotos.html5. Impact of Phosphorus on Aquatic life-time Eutrophication, http//www.agnr.umd.edu/users/agron/nutrient/Factshee/Phosphorus/Eutrop.html6. Marine Research on Eutrophication, http//www.mare.su.se/english/index.html7. Midatlantic Integrated Assessment, http//www.epa.gov/emfjulte/tpmcmaia/html/eutroph.html8. United Nations Environment Programme, http//www.grida.no Eutrophication Essay -- GeologyWhat is eutrophication? Eutrophication is, in the simplest terms, too much of a good thing. It occurs when too many nutrients are deposited into a body of water, throwing off the established balance of production and consumption of organic matter. Eutrophication can take place in ponds, lakes, rivers, and oceans. At first, the overload of nutrients in the body of water enco urages plant growth. However, soon this excess of organic material uses up most of the available oxygen in the water, taking it away from the other plants and animals. These other organisms can no longer survive with such depleted oxygen levels and die off, creating what is referred to sometimes as a dead zone, devoid of life. Below is a table of the different trophic states, or levels of organic matter in relation to available oxygen, that a body of water traverses on its way to becoming a dead zone. TROPHIC STATESOligotrophic Clear waters with little organic matter or sediment and minimum biological activity.Mesotrophic Waters with more nutrients, and therefore, more biological productivity.Eutrophic Waters extremely rich in nutrients, with high biological productivity. Some species may be choked out.Hypereutrophic Murky, highly productive waters, closest to the wetland status. Many clearwater species cannot survive.Dystrophic Low in nutrients, highly colored with dissolved h umic organic material. (Not necessarily a part of the natural trophic progression.)back to top What causes eutrophication? Eutrophication of bodies of water is a naturally occurring phenomenon. However, the process has been aggravated by the human population. Such man-made eutrophication is caused by excessive discharge of nutrien... ...less * and being a responsible boater by pumping out wastes. back to top Resources1. Environmental Agency, http//www.environment-agency.gov.uk/s-enviro/viewpoints/4health/3eutroph/4-3.html2. Eutrophication, http//www.btnep.org/pages/eutrophication1.html 3. Fish Kills do to Harmful Algal Blooms, http//www.redtide.whoi.edu/hab/foodweb/fishkills.html4. Harmful Algal Bloom Photo Gallery, http//habserv1.whoi.edu/hab/rtphotos/rtphotos.html5. Impact of Phosphorus on Aquatic Life Eutrophication, http//www.agnr.umd.edu/users/agron/nutrient/Factshee/Phosphorus/Eutrop.html6. Marine Research on Eutrophication, http//www.mare.su.se/english/index.h tml7. Midatlantic Integrated Assessment, http//www.epa.gov/emfjulte/tpmcmaia/html/eutroph.html8. United Nations Environment Programme, http//www.grida.no