Module 6

Eutrophication

Introduction

Eutrophication comes from the Greek word, Eutrophus which means well-nourished. Smith
(2009) defined it as an over enrichment of nutrients in streams, rivers, and lakes. It causes structural
changes to the ecosystem and has become a major environmental problem.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Explain why eutrophication is an environmental problem.

2. Formulate possible control measures to reduce the problem by writing a solemn promise and
practice it.

Pre-Assessment

Answer the following questions by choosing the best answer.

1. The following are structural changes to the ecosystem caused by eutrophication except:
a. Algal bloom
b. Depletion of fish
c. Deterioration of water quality
d. Reduce amount of producers

2. Eutrophication is bad because ____________.

a. It blocks light from getting into the water
b. Make water hypoxic
c. a is the correct answer
d. a and b are correct
3. Human activities that lead to eutrophication
a. Use of agricultural fertilizer
b. Sewage
c. Aquaculture
d. All of the above

4. The best description of eutrophication

a. An enrichment of water
b. Characterized by excessive plant
c. Predominantly caused by humans

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 d. Occurs when an aquatic ecosystem has an overabundance of nutrients such as nitrates and
phosphates

5. Harmful effects of eutrophication

a. Algal bloom
b. Water turbidity
c. Fish kill
d. a and c are harmful effects

Lesson Presentation

Eutrophication refers to an excessive richness of nutrients in a body of water frequently due to

runoff from land, which causes a dense growth of plant life and death of animal life from lack of oxygen.

Creator: Photon-Photos |Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto | Copyright: Photon-Photos

This can be a problem in marine habitats because it can cause algae bloom. Some algae even produce
toxins that are harmful to higher forms of life. This can cause problems along the food chain and affect
any animal that feeds on them. The overabundance of nutrients is often caused by human activity like
farming, maintaining golf courses and other activities that can lead to fertilizer runoff.

One of the negative impacts of eutrophication and increased algal growth is the loss of available
oxygen known as anoxia. These anoxic conditions can kill the fishes and other aquatic organisms. When
the profuse algae that grow die, they sink at the bottom of the water body and decompose.
Decomposition uses up oxygen. As a result, fishes die due to lack of oxygen. Another serious effect of
eutrophication is that algal blooms block sunlight from getting into the water and harm organisms that
need it. If eutrophication continue it will cause the collapse of the entire ecosystem.

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 Consequences of Eutrophication

The diagram can be simplified by the following steps:

Step 1: Excessive nutrients enter water ways.

Step 2: Nutrients develop plant growth.

Step 3: Algal bloom occur.

Step 4: Algae dies and is decomposed by bacteria.

Step 5: Decomposition of algae increases oxygen demand.

Step 6: Fish and aquatic organisms die.

CAUSES OF EUTROPHICATION

The most common nutrient causing eutrophication are Nitrogen and Phosphorus. The main
source of Nitrogen is run-off from agricultural land, whereas most Phosphorus come from household
waste and industries.

Human activities can accelerate the rate at which nutrients enter the ecosystem. Agricultural
practice such as the use of fertilizers, pollution from septic systems sewer increase the influx of this
nutrients.

EFFECTS OF EUTROPHICATION

The most conspicuous effect of this problem is the creation of dense blooms of noxious, foul
smelling phytoplankton that affects water clarity and harm water quality (Chislock, 2013). In addition,
other important effects are water hypoxia, reduction of carbon dioxide because of the decomposition of
organic matter which enhances water acidification and altering biogeochemical processes.
Eutrophication and lakes will increase emission of methane into the atmosphere by 30%-90%. This will
contribute to greenhouse gases causing climate change.

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 When there is a combination of population increase, wastewater discharge, agricultural run-off,
and climate change, it is detrimental to humans and animals because it produces algal blooms and many
of this are toxic.

CONTROL MEASURES

1. wastewater like sewage should be discharged into the river and water system only after water
treatment.
2. Algal bloom should be removed from the water.
3. Use of Phosphate free detergents to reduce eutrophication.

Reference:

1. Eutrophication Explained
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLbDbmmV6Qc

2. Eutrophication: Environmental Issues

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zedHoZc7KZA

Activity

Sixty-five percent of the estuarine and coastal waters are severely degraded by excessive
nutrient input. Excessive nutrients lead to algal bloom and low oxygen in water that can kill fish and
seagrasses and reduce fish habitats.

Make a diagram to show the steps in the process of eutrophication. Use arrows to indicate the
direction of the process.

Reinforcement

In eutrophication, nutrients washed away from the land in rich bodies of water. It causes
excessive growth of algae which eventually decompose. The process depletes the oxygen causing fish
and other aquatic organism to die.

Another environmental problem, that can be accelerated by human activities is acid

precipitation. This could also affect aquatic resources and have an impact on fishes and other aquatic
organisms. It will be presented in the next module.