Eutrophication is the process by which a body of water becomes overly enriched with minerals and nutrients that induce excessive growth of algae. This document discusses the basic concepts of eutrophication, the types (natural vs. cultural), sources (point sources like sewage vs. non-point sources like agricultural runoff), effects on the environment and society, and potential remedial measures. The sources of excess nutrients that cause eutrophication are primarily agricultural fertilizers, domestic sewage, and livestock waste. Eutrophication can lead to decreased water quality, loss of habitat, and changes in the plant and animal communities in the affected body of water. Reducing nutrient inputs from fertilizers and sewage is

1. Basic Environmental
Engineering & Elementary Biolo
Department of Electronics & Designed by Soujanya Roy, Sanjoy Moitra, Monalisa, Mayurima and
Communication Engineering Krishanu

2. AGENDA
 Introduction to the Basic concept of
Eutrophication
-Basic Idea
-Definition
 Types of Eutrophication
- Natural Eutrophication
- Cultural Eutrophication
 Sources
- Point sources
- Non-point sources
- A brief outline
 Effects of Eutrophication
 Remedial Measures/Monitoring
 Bibliography

3. Introduction- Basic Concepts
 Whats actually
Eutrophication?
BASIC IDEA:
- originated from greek words: eu=‘well’ and
trophes=‘fed’. Thus it means ‘well fed’ or ‘nutrient
rich’
- It alters the dynamics of a number of plant, animal and
bacterial populations; thus, bringing about changes in
community structure.
- It is a form of water pollution and like all other forms of pollution is
the result of human activities influencing ecological cycles. Eutrophication in the Sea of Azov.
Source: SeaWiFS Project,
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
and ORBIMAG

4. Introduction- Basic Concepts
 Defining Eutrophication
 Can be defined as excessive nutrient load in a water body that
support a dense growth of algae and other organisms, the decay of
which depletes the shallow waters of oxygen in summer.
 eutrophication may be defined as an increase in the
rate of supply of organic matter to an ecosystem.
 It means ‘enhanced nourishment’ and refers to
the stimulation of aquatic plant growth by
mineral nutrients, particularly the combined
forms of phosphorus or nitrogen

5. Getting into:
 Types of Eutrophication
Lets Browse through the different types of Eutrophication

6. Types of Eutrophication
 Two types of Eutrophication are:
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7. Two types : A comparison
Natural Eutrophication Cultural Eutrophication
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a process that occurs as a lake or river a process that occurs when humans
ages over a period of hundreds or release excessive amounts of nutrients;
thousands of years. it shortens the rate of aging to decades.

8. Getting into- Sources
 Sources of Eutrophication
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√Point sources are directly attributable to one influence. In
point sources the nutrient waste travels directly from source to
water. Point sources are relatively easy to regulate.

9. Getting into- Sources
 Sources of Eutrophication
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Nonpoint source pollution (also known as 'diffuse' or 'runoff' pollution) is that
which comes from ill-defined and diffuse sources. Nonpoint sources are
√difficult to regulate and usually vary spatially and temporally (with season,
precipitation, and other irregular events).
It has been shown that nitrogen transport is correlated with various indices
of human activity in watersheds, including the amount of development.
Ploughing in agriculture and development are activities that contribute most
to nutrient loading.

10. SOURCES- point & non point
Point Sources Non-point Sources
√Waste water effluent (municipal and Runoff from agriculture/irrigation
industrial) Runoff from pasture and range
Runoff and leachate from waste disposal Urban runoff from unsewered areas
√systems
Septic tank leachate
Runoff and infiltration from animal Runoff from construction sites> 20000
feedlots sq. mtrs
Runoff from mines, oil fields, unsewered Runoff from abandoned mines
industrial sites Atmospheric deposition over a water
Overflows of combined storm and surface
sanitary sewers. Runoff from construction Other land activities generating
sites less than 20000 sq. mtr. contaminants.
 Untreated Sewage

11. SOURCES
 Major Sources of Eutrophication
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 Major sources of excess nutrients
are agricultural fertilizers, domestic
√ sewage and livestock wastes.
 Agricultural fertilizers provide
inorganic nutrients.
√  Sewage and wastes provide both
inorganic and organic nutrients.

12. PICTORIAL SUMMARY OF SOURCES OF
Cultural Eutrophication EUTROPHICATION

13. Impact- Effects on Environment
 Effects of Eutrophication
on
the Environment
 Decrease in the transparency of water
 Development of anoxic conditions (low oxygen levels)
 Increased algal blooms
 Loss of habitat (e.g. Sea grass beds)
 Change in dominant biota (e.g. Changes in plankton and
macrophyte community structure or changes in fish composition)
 Decrease in species diversity
 Change in the aesthetic value of the water body

14. Impact- Effects on Society
 Socio-economic
Consequences of
Eutrophication
 Increased vegetation may impede water flow and the movement of boats
 The water may become unsuitable for drinking even after treatment
 Decrease in the amenity value of the water (e.g. it may become unsuitable
f or water sports such as sailing)
 Disappearance of commercially important species (such as trout)
 Loss of tourism/recreation (swimming, boating)
 Loss of aesthetic value: visual disamenity of algal blooms in lakes

15. IMPACT
Before Eutrophication After Eutrophication
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16. Algal bloom in a lake EFFECTS OF EUTROPHICATION

17. Overgrowth of floating
Aquatic plants
EFFECTS OF EUTROPHICATION

18. On right: Fish mortality due
lack of O2 in Indonesian lake
EFFECTS OF EUTROPHICATION

19. NOW
PLAYING Getting Real- Video footage
CREDITS: Lets understand the process SIMPLY…!
Piotr Sokolowski
Source:
www.youtube.com

20. REMEDIAL MEASURES
 Reduction in the use of phosphates as builders in detergents
 Reduction in the use of nitrate containing fertilisers
 Implementation of tertiary sewage treatment methods which
remove phosphate and nitrate
 Improvements in agricultural practices (economising on
fertiliser use and improving land use)
 Aeration of lakes and reservoirs to prevent oxygen depletion
particularly during algal blooms
 Restoration of natural wetlands, efficient in nutrient removal
 Removing phosphate-rich plant material from affected lakes
 Removing phosphate-rich sediments by dredging

21. Bibliography- References
 Thanks to the sources…!!!
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22. THE END…
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