Eutrophication

By: Emily Roswold & Charles Poolman

Eutrophication

- excessive richness in nutrients- lack of oxygen - immense growth of plants - high deaths among animals - can be natural, can be cultural

What is Eutrophication?

Video:Visual Process

- Anoxia kills fish & invertebrates- uncontrolled growth of aquatic plants - Decreased species & biodiversity - Nature's benefits - fish species composition (in economic terms & protein intake)

What organisms are affected the most?

- 1960s and 1970s, Lake Erie - most publicized example - Scientists comprehended cultural eutrophication - beaches/coastal areas had to close - increasing death rate of aquatic animals - toxic substances from algae species - release of unpleasant/injurious gases

When and how did humans realize it was harmful to biodiversity?

(Hypoxic : deprived of adequate oxygen supply at the tissue level)

- Any body of water/coastal environment in the world- European Coastal Areas (Baltic and Mediterranean Seas) from human activity

Where on Earth does it happen?

Improved HypoxisEutrophic Hypoxic

- careful with chemicals/fertilizers - stop over fertilizing - stop sewage disposal into waterways - stop using phosphate degergants - creating Riparian Buffers (vegetated area between river or lake and land that is in use) - reducing sprinkler usage

What are humans doing to prevent it?

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Discussion Questions

- How does eutrophication impact plant diversity? - Why does the dissolved oxygen level decrease in the process of eutrophication?