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Eutrophication

Eutrophication. Process of Eutrophication. natural process of the aging of a body of water As more nutrients enter the water more organisms live and die and add their organic molecules to the decaying / recycling process Bodies of water evolve from oligotrophic to eutrophic.

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Eutrophication

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  1. Eutrophication

  2. Process of Eutrophication • natural process of the aging of a body of water • As more nutrients enter the water more organisms live and die and add their organic molecules to the decaying / recycling process • Bodies of water evolve from oligotrophic to eutrophic

  3. Process continued • Eutrophication can be accelerated by human activities • Increasing levels of nitrates and phosphates • Detergents • Sewage • Fertilizers from agricultural runoff

  4. “death” of Lake Erie, 1960’s • Large amounts of detergents and fertilizers dumped in to lake • Caused increase of algae growth • Algal bloom • The decomposition of dead algae uses tremendous amounts of oxygen causing death to fish and other organisms at higher trophic levels

  5. “death” of Lake Erie, continued • Lake Erie declared “dead” • Prompted a ban on phosphates in detergents in the late 1960’s • Within a decade, Lake Erie rebounded • Still suffers from other forms of pollution

  6. Impacts of eutrophication • As oxygen levels deplete from decomposers, other aerobic organisms suffer and die contributing to the decomposition process (Positive Feedback) • Can lead to “death” of a body of water • Decrease in species diversity • Stagnant putrid water

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