How does eutrophication affect phytoplankton?
How does eutrophication affect phytoplankton?
The beginning of eutrophication causes an increase in phytoplankton biomass, but the composition of the phytoplankton community becomes more uniform. Certain species disappear, while at the same time, opportunistic species of phytoplankton begin to dominate (McQuatters-Gollop et al., 2009).
Does eutrophication decrease phytoplankton?
Eutrophication (as an increase in total phosphorus [TP]) increases harmful algal blooms and reduces the proportion of high-quality phytoplankton in seston and the content of ω-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) in fish.
How does eutrophication affect aquatic life?
Eutrophication sets off a chain reaction in the ecosystem, starting with an overabundance of algae and plants. The excess algae and plant matter eventually decompose, producing large amounts of carbon dioxide. This lowers the pH of seawater, a process known as ocean acidification.
What are the 4 effects of eutrophication?
The known consequences of cultural eutrophication include blooms of blue-green algae (i.e., cyanobacteria, Figure 2), tainted drinking water supplies, degradation of recreational opportunities, and hypoxia.
What are the causes and effects of eutrophication?
“Eutrophication is an enrichment of water by nutrient salts that causes structural changes to the ecosystem such as: increased production of algae and aquatic plants, depletion of fish species, general deterioration of water quality and other effects that reduce and preclude use”.
What does excessive algae on water cause?
Too much nitrogen and phosphorus in the water causes algae to grow faster than ecosystems can handle. Large growths of algae are called algal blooms and they can severely reduce or eliminate oxygen in the water, leading to illnesses in fish and the death of large numbers of fish.
What happens if eutrophication continues?
If eutrophication continues what will eventually happen to the lake and surrounding ecosystem? The entire ecosystem will collapse because the lack of oxygen and plant life due to the lack of light penetration will kill off the plants and animals living in the lake.
Can eutrophication be reversed?
Eutrophic conditions can occur naturally. When this cascade of events occurs, the situation is called cultural or man-made eutrophication. Cultural eutrophication is harmful, but it can be reversed if the nutrients come from easily identified point sources such as sewage treatment plants or septic systems.
What are the two major causes of eutrophication?
The most common nutrients causing eutrophication are nitrogen N and phosphorus P. The main source of nitrogen pollutants is run-off from agricultural land, whereas most phosphorus pollution comes from households and industry, including phosphorus-based detergents.
Are there any positive effects of eutrophication?
Enhanced plant production and improved fish yields are sometimes described as positive impacts of eutrophication, especially in countries where fish and other aquatic organisms are a significant source of food. The entire aquatic ecosystem may change with eutrophication.
What are the causes and effects of eutrophication Class 8?
If the soil is rich in phosphorus, it can lead to eutrophication and severely damage the ecosystem in and around the water body. When sewage pipes and industrial wastes are directed to water bodies, the nutrients present in the sewage and other wastes increase the rate at which eutrophication occurs.
How can the effects of eutrophication be reduced?
There are two possible approaches to reducing eutrophication: Reduce the source of nutrients (e.g. by phosphate stripping at sewage treatment works, reducing fertilizer inputs, introducing buffer strips of vegetation adjacent to water bodies to trap eroding soil particles).
