LEUXX1-CFE 202

ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT
FALL 2022/2023

EUTROPHICATION

Submitted By: FARIDA TIJJANI

Student No:20240107

Submitted to: Assist. Prof. Dr. Semih Oğuzcan

Date of Submission: 20/12/2022

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 ABSTRACT

Eutrophication, or excessive plant sprout happening when humans excessivele enrich

the water, is the primary disturbing issue that most bodies of water currently face. It

is one of the most unmistakable instances of how people have changed the biosphere,

influencing marine environments in the Cold and Antarctic. Eutrophication has

international repercussions and a number of negative side effects. Numerous studies

indicate that maintaining desirable water quality and ecosystem integrity requires

controlling phosphorus and nitrogen intakes in coastal waters. However, a number of

site-specific conditions interact with nutrient enrichment, particularly the ecological

stability of the system and, as a result, the presence of various pollutants and

infectious agents. Additionally, there is mounting evidence to support nutrient

restriction as a strategy for restoring eutrophic waters. In addition, no consensus exists

regarding the most efficient nutrient haul controls for coastal zone eutrophication

management.

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

ABSTRACT.............................................................................................................................2

TABLE OF FIGURES..............................................................................................................4

1. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................5

2.1 EUTROPHICATION..........................................................................................................6

2.2 Causes of Eutrophication.............................................................................................7

2.3 Implications Resulting from Eutrophication..............................................................8

2.4 Controlling Eutrophication..........................................................................................9

CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................11

REFERENCES.......................................................................................................................12

TABLE OF FIGURES

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Figure 1 : Aquaculture ponds, like these channel catfish production ponds, typically contain
high concentrations of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus due to the fish's frequent
feeding......................................................................................................................................6

Figure 2 Daphnia are generalist herbivores that can have a significant impact on phytoplankton
abundance, water clarity, and quality when they are abundant. Lake ecosystems' structure
and function are significantly influenced by them...................................................................10

1. INTRODUCTION

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Eutrophication is one of the most unmistakable instances of how people have changed

the biosphere, influencing marine environments in the Cold and Antarctic.

Eutrophication has international repercussions, significant financial costs, and a

number of negative side effects However, a number of site-specific conditions interact

with nutrient enrichment, particularly the ecological stability of the system and, as a

result, the presence of various pollutants and infectious agents. Additionally, there is

mounting evidence to support nutrient restriction as a strategy for restoring eutrophic

waters. In addition, no consensus exists regarding the most efficient nutrient haul

controls for coastal zone eutrophication management.

2.1 EUTROPHICATION

Nevertheless, human activities have sped up the rate and degree of eutrophication

through both point-source releases and non-point loadings of restricting supplements

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like nitrogen and phosphorus into sea-going biological systems (social

eutrophication), which has fundamentally affected drinking water sources, fisheries,

and sporting water bodies. Eutrophication occurs naturally over centuries as lakes age

and fill in with sediment .According to Boyd and Exhaust (1998), hydroponics experts

and lake managers frequently purposefully eutrophy water bodies by adding manures

to boost the thickness and biomass of small and large fishes and support essential

efficiency (Figure 1). Algal blossoms, then again, were connected to supplement

enhancement welcomed on by human exercises like agribusiness, industry, and

sewage removal during the 1960s and 1970s. Dodds et al. say that, Eutrophication-

related harm is estimated to cost $2.2 billion annually in the United States alone.

(2009).

Figure 1: Aquaculture ponds, like these channel catfish production ponds, typically

contain high concentrations of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus due to the fish's

frequent feeding.

Note: Images from Nature Education taken in 2013 by Michael Chislock and Mark

Peterman

The growth of dense blooms of noxious, odorless phytoplankton that affect the clarity

and quality of the water is the most obvious effect of cultural eutrophication.

Lehtiniemi and others According to a 2005 report, because predators require light to

pursue and capture their prey, algae blooms make it harder for them to do so. Since

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the first report of domesticated animals passing due to a sprout of poisonous

cyanobacteria, poisonings of domesticated, natural, and even human beings have been

documented worldwide. Planktivorous fish biomass, on the other hand, frequently has

a positive correlation with ecosystem productivity and nutrient levels. In nutrient-

poor, oligotrophic lakes, planktivorous fish like shad and bream take over the fish

community, whereas piscivorous fish like bass and pike tend to take over (Jeppesen et

al.,). 1997).

2.2 Causes of Eutrophication

Eutrophication is a major environmental issue caused by a number of factors,

including:

1. Runoff related to agriculture: Pesticides and fertilizers that are applied to crops

might end up in nearby rivers, lakes, and other water bodies. Because they add more

nutrients to the water, these chemicals help algae and other aquatic plants grow.

2. Metropolitan spillover: Urban stormwater runoff contains contaminants such as

fertilizers and motor oil. Roofs, pavement, and other surfaces can collect pollutants

from the atmosphere like nitrogen and phosphorus, which can then enter urban water

bodies. Eutrophication is the process by which these pollutants can enrich the water

with more nutrients.

3.Sewage: Nutrients can be found in sewage from homes and businesses. Because

wastewater contains a lot of nutrients and organic matter, it can cause eutrophication

in rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water.

4. From industry, waste: A wide range of pollutants, including nutrients and other

chemicals, can be released by industrial processes. Eutrophication is the process by

which these pollutants enter waterways like rivers and lakes.

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5. Polluted air: Air pollution contains nitrogen and phosphorus, two of the most

important elements that can contribute to eutrophication. Algae and other aquatic

plants may develop more rapidly as a result of these pollutants settling into water

bodies. Overgrowth of aquatic plants caused by these added nutrients, primarily

nitrogen and phosphorus, can have negative effects on water quality, oxygen levels,

and biodiversity.

2.3 Implications Resulting from Eutrophication

The metabolic activity of heterotrophic microorganisms can be restricted both directly

and indirectly by the availability of nutrients. When water column productivity is

higher, aquatic bacteria appear to be able to metabolize a wider variety of organic

substrates. Therefore, the trophic status of non-nutrient contaminants in water bodies

can have a significant impact on their fate: Increasing supplies of nitrogen and

phosphorus can improve the biodegradation of pesticides, aromatic hydrocarbons, and

petrochemicals by numerous marine biological systems. For instance, as the

productivity of the lake from which the water was taken increases, so does the rate of

phenol biodegradation

Other repercussions include:

1. Growth of Algae: Green growth and other amphibian plants can excess when

supplements are added. This can lead to algal blooms, which can lower the oxygen

levels in the water and kill aquatic life.

2. Biodiversity misfortune: Eutrophication can also have negative effects on

biodiversity. As their numbers rise, some species may become endangered or even

vanish due to resource competition.

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3. Drinking Water Contamination: Sufficient nutrients can contaminate the water

during eutrophication, rendering it unfit for human consumption.

4. Sporting Activity Loss: Additionally, eutrophication may result in a decrease in

water-based sports like fishing and swimming.

2.4 Controlling Eutrophication

Eutrophication poses a serious threat to fisheries, recreational water bodies, and

sources of potable drinking water due to the widespread extent of water quality

degradation caused by nutrient enrichment. Water resource managers need to

immediately learn how to reduce the intensity and frequency of algal and

cyanobacterial blooms because predicted climate change and human population

growth have the potential to further degrade water quantity and quality.

Biomanipulation, or altering a food web to restore ecosystem health, is one method

for improving the quality of the water in nutrient-rich lakes (Shapiro et al.,). 1975).

The primary reason is that optional buyers are eliminated either through the

development of tertiary buyers or through collection, taking into account the

predominance of large, generalist slow eaters (like Daphnia) for phytoplankton

control (see Figure 2). When planktivorous fishes are abundant and there is no

predation shelter for enormous-bodied zooplankton, less productive little-bodied

zooplankton nibbler frequently overwhelm zooplankton networks due to the

abundance of phytoplankton, also known as algal sprout. However, recovery has been

sluggish or nonexistent in some systems. Many of the observed recovery delays may

be attributable to internal nutrient regeneration.

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Figure 2 Daphnia are generalist herbivores that can have a significant impact on

phytoplankton abundance, water clarity, and quality when they are abundant. Lake

ecosystems' structure and function are significantly influenced by them.

Note: Alan Wilson's Nature Education Photo from 2013

This shows that controlling eutrophication in lakes requires reducing phosphorus

inputs to lake waters, whether from external sources like sewage or changes in land

use, or from internal sources like recycling phosphorus from sediments. Clarification

and, ultimately, management of the major physical, chemical, and biological factors

that determine the capacities of estuaries and coastal marine systems to recover from

enrichment with both nitrogen and phosphorus require extensive new research.

CONCLUSION

Eutrophication is a serious environmental issue with long-term effects on marine

ecosystems and our environment. An issue is generally brought about by human

exercises like the abuse of composts, sewage, and different toxins. It may result in the

destruction of aquatic habitats and have significant effects on water quality and

biodiversity. We must devise strategies to manage nutrient inputs to our waterways

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and reduce our use of pollutants in order to combat eutrophication. We can help to

reduce the effects of eutrophication and safeguard our aquatic ecosystems if we are

able to accomplish this. Lastly, excessive fertilizer and nutrient runoff from

agricultural and aquacultural activities: Urban and industrial wastewater may contain

high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which can enter water bodies through direct

discharge or runoff. Fertilizers and nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus that are

used in agriculture and aquaculture can get into water bodies and make aquatic plants

and algae grow too much.

Eutrophication is a serious issue that should not be taken lightly. To safeguard our

aquatic ecosystems, reduce nutrient runoff from agricultural, industrial, and urban

activities.

REFERENCES

Andy Turner's Nature Education image from 2013 by Alan Wilson

Conditions for effective bio-manipulation Benndorf, 1990;

Carpenter, SR. surface waters with non-point phosphorus and nitrogen contamination

Catfish industry outlook: Agriculture and natural resources

Eutrophication of fresh waters: Dodds, W.K., analysis of potential financial losses 2009

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 https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/eutrophication-causes-consequences-and-

controls-in-aquatic-102364466/.

G. Francis, "Top-down control in freshwater lakes," 1878

Turbidity decreases anti-predator behavior in pike larvae Lehtiniemi, M.

A catalyst for the global expansion of harmful cyanobacterial blooms, Paerl & Huisman, 2001

The plant-animal interface in freshwater ecosystems, American Scientist, Porter, K. G., 1977

Bio-manipulation: Shapiro et al.'s ecosystem-based approach to lake restoration 1975

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