Eutrophication
Sound Familiar?• Eutrophication
–The natural process that occurs in an aging lake or pond as that body of water gradually increases its concentration of plant nutrients.
Nitrogen Phosphorus
• Cultural Eutrophication –The artificial process that occurs when human activities add
plant nutrients to bodies of water. • Fertilizers, wastewater, etc.
Causes rapid growth of algae, which eventually dies.
• Algae that eventually dies is decomposed by microbes. - Drops oxygen levels in the waterbody.
Evidence of Eutrophication Nutrient Pollution• The main anthropogenic sources are:
Sources for Chesapeake Bay
Connecticut is currently updating sewage treatment plants to remove nutrients before discharge.
• Sewage - Septic Tanks - Sewage treatment plants - Animal feed lots
• Produce lots of manure.
• Fertilizer - From agricultural fields and lawns.
• Acid Rain - Nitric acid precipitates into the water.
Hypoxia and Anoxia
• Consequences: • Loss of recreational water usage • Waterfront real estate • Recovery of threatened and endangered species • Fishery losses
Eutrophication in LIS
Let’s look at Long Island Sound to see what is going on!