Eutrophication is a form of water pollution caused by excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus entering aquatic ecosystems from human activities. This leads to excessive plant growth and decay, reduced oxygen levels, and negative impacts on water quality and wildlife populations. The main sources of eutrophication include agricultural runoff containing fertilizers and manure, sewage discharge, and erosion caused by development and poor land use practices. As more nutrients enter ecosystems, it can lead to algal blooms, changes in plant and animal communities, and reduced biodiversity in lakes and other bodies of water.

1. Water Related
Pollution

2. EUTROPHICATION

3.  Eutrophication is the accumulation of nutrients in aquatic ecosystems. 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.
 An increase in chemical nutrients — compounds containing nitrogen or
phosphorus in an ecosystem, and may occur on land or in water.
However, the term is often used to mean the resultant increase in the
ecosystem's primary productivity (excessive plant growth and decay),
and further effects including lack of oxygen and severe reductions in
water quality, fish, and other animal populations.

4. STEPS OF EUTROPHICATION
1.
Fertilizer flows into water
causing….
4. Plants in lower levels of water
to die, causing….
5. Decay using up O2 and increasing
CO2,causing…...
2. Increased plant growth on the surface of
water, causing…..
3. Decreased light in lower levels of water,
causing…
6. Death of fish and other animals.

5. The rise in eutrophic and
hypoxic events has been
attributed to the rapid
increase in intensive
agricultural practices,
industrial activities, and
population growth which
together have increased
nitrogen and phosphorus
flows in the environment.
The Millennium Ecosystem
Assessment (MA) found
that human activities have
resulted in the near
doubling of nitrogen and
tripling of phosphorus flows
to the environment when
compared to natural
values.

6. Sources of Eutrophication
Discharge of untreated
municipal sewage
(nitrates and phosphates)
Nitrogen compounds
produced by cars
and factories
Natural runoff
(nitrates and
phosphates
Inorganic fertilizer runoff
(nitrates and phosphates)
Discharge of
detergents
( phosphates)
Discharge of treated
municipal sewage
(primary and secondary
treatment:
nitrates and phosphates)
Dissolving of
nitrogen oxides
(from internal combustion
engines and furnaces)
Manure runoff
from feedlots
(nitrates,
phosphates,
ammonia)
Runoff from streets,
lawns, and construction
Lake ecosystem
lots (nitrates and
nutrient overload
phosphates)
and breakdown of
chemical cycling
Runoff and erosion
(from cultivation,
mining, construction,
and poor land use)

7. Overview of Cultural Eutrophication
 Start with clear
water stream or
blue water lake.
 Introduction of
organic and/or
inorganic
nutrients.
 The pathways of
these two nutrient
sources differ.
 Follow organic
pathway first;
inorganic nutrient
pathway second

8. Ecological effects
Increased biomass of phytoplankton
Toxic or inedible phytoplankton species
Increases in blooms of gelatinous zooplankton
Increased biomass of benthic and epiphytic algae
Changes in macrophyte species composition
Decreases in water transparency (increased turbidity)
Colour, smell, and water treatment problems
Dissolved oxygen depletion
Increased incidences of fish kills
Loss of desirable fish species
Reductions in harvestable fish and shellfish
Decreases in perceived aesthetic value of the water