What is eutrophization: definition and characteristics

Eutrophication is the Nutrient enrichment in an aquatic ecosystem. Basically it begins when water receives a nutrient discharge, such as agricultural or forest waste, which makes excessive growth of organic matter favors, causing accelerated growth of algae and other green plants that cover the surface of the water and prevents sunlight from reaching the lower layers.

An example of eutrophication of the waters is found in Murcia, Spain, where the Mar Menor has been affected by full by this process.

Discover what an aquatic ecosystem is, here.

When we talk about the eutrophication of the waters, we refer to a whole process that ends up leading to the green plants that we can appreciate. Now, the eutrophication phases are as follows:

• First phase: The proliferation of algae that appears with the first phase of eutrophication causes a cloud of water that prevents light from penetrating Until the bottom of the ecosystem, and consequently, vegetation dies by not being able to perform photosynthesis.
• Second phase: In this way it generates that other microorganisms, such as bacteria, feed on dead matter, consuming the oxygen that needed fish and mollusks, and at the same time generate toxic algae and pathogenic microorganisms that could cause diseases. In short, it is at this point where algae are generated with toxicity. If you want to know what microorganisms are: classification, characteristics and types, read the following post of Ecology Verde.

Now that we know how it occurs, we will know what are the main causes of eutrophication of the waters. We can highlight the following:

• Urban pollution: Through organic and inorganic waste, such as phosphate. These contaminated urban tributaries, in the event that there is no purification, are dangerous.
• Atmospheric pollution: For sulfur and nitrogen oxides that react with atmospheric water to form sulfate and nitrate ion. Discover more about air pollution: causes, consequences and solutions in the following article that we recommend.
• Agricultural pollution: such as fertilizers or excrement. This is the main causes, due to the diffuse contamination of soils and aquifers with fertilizers.
• Forest pollution: For abandonment in rivers of forest waste with wood, for example.

Eutrophication generally produces a natural increase in biomass and a reduction in diversity. Taking care of the environment and promoting filter systems and water cleaning can be a partial solution to the problem.

Even so, it should be noted that the eutrophication of the waters can also occur for natural causessuch as the aging of the rivers or the lakes. Now that you know what eutrophication is and why it occurs, we will see what its consequences are in the environment.

How does eutrophication to the environment affect? The truth is that the consequences of eutrophication are the following that we can mention:

• Excess food Of the plants and organisms: it means that, during their growth, the plants that inhabit in this ecosystem consume a large amount of dissolved oxygen and, consequently, provide mud in abundance.
• Loss of Biodiversity: In addition to the destruction of aquatic ecosystems. In this same sense we can also say that eutrophization attracts invasive species.
• Water quality: This is one of the most obvious consequences of the eutrophication, since oxygen is exhausted and rotting. In addition, we can see the color they acquire and the smell they emit. All this is related to economic losses, for example, and diseases, because they can cause respiratory problems.
• Economic effects: As the areas that were previously navigable now, this has an impact on the economy. In addition, species that previously live there can no longer be consumed due to toxicity.

If you want to read more articles similar to What is eutrophization: definition and characteristicswe recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.