…..

EUTROPHICATION
When lakes, streams
and estuaries are over
fertilized, excessive
production of aquatic
organic matter can
become a water
quality
problem and as a
result the
eutrophication
process can be
enhanced!
 Eutrophication is a natural process!
However, humans in their everyday activities can
exacerbate the process:
Point sources (can locate the cause)
• Sewage treatment plant discharges
• Storm sewer discharges
• Industrial discharges
Non-point sources (can’t locate the cause, it’s
everywhere)
• Atmospheric deposition
• Agricultural runoff (fertilizer, soil erosion)
• Septic systems
 BEFORE EUTROPHICATION

AFTER EUTROPHICATION

Eutrophication: a process
by which a body of
water progresses from its
origin to its
extinction. This process
happens in stages.
Eutrophication process in 6 stages

ADDITION OF NITRATES

GROWTH OF PLANTS

DEATH OF PLANTS

GROWTH OF BACTERIA

LACK OF OXYGEN

SUFFOCATION
 sew age
f er t i l i ser s ( l i qui d dom est i c
and i ndust r i al w ast e)

Eutrophication
m i ner al s m i ner al s
The process of
esp. ni t r at es esp. phosphat es

o r
g a
eut r ophi cat i on

n ic m a t
al gal bl oom

r ia l
e
com pet i t i on c o n s u m e r s c a n 't
f or l i ght consum e f ast enough

dead pl ant s dead al gae

det r i t us

m or e decom poser s
 dead pl ant s dead al gae

The process of Eutrophication cont.

det r i t us

m or e decom poser s

use up oxygen
by aer obi c r espi r at i on
( i ncr eased B O D )

aer obes di e anaer obi c bact er i a

( i nver t ebr at es, t hr i ve. R el ease
f i sh, et c) N H 4 , C H4 , 2 H S
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD).

This measures the rate of oxygen consumption by a

sample of water, and therefore gives a good
indication of eutrophication. A high BOD means lots
of organic material and aerobic microbes, i.e.
eutrophication
Eutrophication process in 6 stages

ADDITION OF NITRATES

GROWTH OF PLANTS

DEATH OF PLANTS

GROWTH OF BACTERIA

LACK OF OXYGEN

SUFFOCATION
Before increases in nutrients:
Acceleration of eutrophication :
Results of eutrophication :
Photo 1: Algal bloom in a lake.

Photo 1: Algal bloom in a lake.

Photo 2: Overgrowth of floating aquatic plants.
Photo 23: Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan during
summer time showing overgrowth of aquatic plants.
Photo 4:
Fish
mortality
due to lack
of oxygen in
an
Indonesian
lake.
 Put in order the stages of Eutrophication!

LACK OF OXYGEN DEATH OF PLANTS

GROWTH OF BACTERIA

GROWTH OF PLANTS SUFFOCATION

ADDITION OF NITRATES