Cultural or artificial eutrophication occurs when human activity introduces increased amounts of these nutrients, which speed up plant growth and eventually choke the lake of all of its animal life. The key difference between eutrophication and algal bloom is that eutrophication is a process by which excessive growth of algae occurs due to release of nutrients, including nitrates and phosphates, into water bodies in larger quantities, while the algal bloom is the mass of phytoplankton rapidly grown in the water body as a result of eutrophication. ISSN 0392-6710. due to the presence of particular algae; disappearance or significant reduction of quality fish with very negative effects on fishing (instead of quality species such as trout undesirable ones such as carp become established); possible affirmation of toxic algae with potential damage to the population and animals drinking the affected water; prohibition of touristic use of the lake and bathing, due to both the foul odour on the shores caused by the presence of certain algae, as well as the turbidity and anything but clean and attractive appearance of the water; bathing is dangerous because certain algae cause skin irritation; reduction of oxygen concentration, especially in the deeper layers of the lake at the end of summer and in autumn. Where and how does Eutrophication occur? Eutrophication is a big word that describes a big problem in the nation's estuaries. Indeed, the word eutrophic comes from the Greek word eu meaning "well" and trophic, meaning "feeding." Eutrophication is a state in which big bodies of water such as lakes, parts of the ocean and other reservoirs have a surplus of algal growth due to excessive nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen.Eutrophication occurs naturally but can be severely accelerated due to human activity. Nutrient loading of coastal waters is caused by increased inputs of nutrients from activities in the upstream catchment, atmospheric deposition and local effluents. According to the Survey of the State of the World’s Lakes, a project promoted by the International Lake Environment Committee, eutrophication affects 54% of Asian lakes, 53% of those in Europe, 48% of those in North America, 41% of those in South America and 28% of those in Africa (www.lescienze.it). The answer is, EUTROPHICATION: a complex process which occurs both in fresh and marine waters, where excessive development of certain types of algae disturbs the aquatic ecosystems and becomes a threat for animal and human health. The disturbance of aquatic equilibria may be more or less evident according to the enrichment of water by nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen). Eutrophication and Harmful Algal Blooms: A Scientific Consensus. Define eutrophication and explain how human behaviors lead to eutrophication. It is clear that this is pressing environmental concern. The load is the quantity (milligrams, kilograms, tons, etc.) Use of fertilisers: Agricultural practices and the use of fertilisers in the soil contribute to the accumulation of nutrients. Effects Eutrophication can have serious, long-term effects. Eutrophication occurs when a body of water becomes overly enriched with nutrients. Historically, aquatic systems have been classified as oligotrophic or eutrophic. "Eniscuola Energy and Environment" is a project run by eni to promote awareness of energy and environmental issues amongst students. This depletes the oxygen in the water and causes animals to either die or have to leave their homes. LinkedIn . What are the causes? Mainly in latitude in which recovery is hard. Eutrophication is the process through which lakes, streams, or bays become overloaded with nutrient-rich water, often from fertilizer runoff or sewage effluent. Eutrophication is a natural and man-made process that increases the supply of plant nutrients in natural water, resulting in the growth of weeds and higher aquatic plants. In general, this reflects the larger coastal settlements and intense agricultural activities in these areas. This can be a problem in marine habitats such as lakes as it can cause algal blooms. Human-induced eutrophication of freshwaters, also called cultural eutrophication, is largely a result of increased phosphorus inputs from sources such as agricultural fertilizers or partially treated sewage. What are the measures that can be taken to prevent eutrophication? Eutrophication process representation (Feem re-elaboration from Arpa Umbria, 2009). This loss of aquatic life has a devastating effect on fisheries and the fishing industry. The absence of oxygen reduces biodiversity causing, in certain cases, even the death of animal and plant species. Stato di qualità ambientale del laghi e analisi dei trend evolutivi. In the Italian version, the website also offers digital lessons on Art, Science and English language, produced in collaboration with Italian high schools (eniscuola culture and eniscuola in the classroom). Similarly, problems also arise at the time of eutrophication which occurs when the aquatic system has an abundance of nutrients. Microbes that decompose these dead organisms use oxygen in the process. Human activity is what speeds it up. All water bodies are subject to a natural and slow eutrophication process, which in recent decades has undergone a very rapid progression due to the presence of man and his activities (so called cultural eutrophication). Dead zones occur because of a process called eutrophication, which happens when a body of water gets too many nutrient s, such as phosphorus and nitrogen. As large populations of algae and other organisms reproduce, many also die off, and their bodies sink to the bottom of the lake or ocean. Bollettino della Società sarda di scienze naturali, Vol. improvement of the purifying performance of waste water treatment plants, installing tertiary treatment systems to reduce nutrient concentrations; implementation of effective filter ecosystems to remove nitrogen and phosphorus present in the run-off water (such as phyto-purification plants); rationalisation of agricultural techniques through proper planning of fertilisation and use of slow release fertilisers; use of alternative practices in animal husbandry to limit the production of waste water. Improve your English with Smartenglish! Discharge of waste water into water bodies: In various parts of the world, and particularly in developing countries, waste water is discharged directly into water bodies such as rivers, lakes and seas. An anoxic (oxygen-free) environment is thus created on the lake bottom, with the growth of organisms capable of living in the absence of oxygen (anaerobic), responsible for the degradation of the biomass. This is one of the first definitions given to the eutrophic process by the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) in the 70s. Eutrophication occurs when an aquatic system has an overabundance of nutrients. Eutrophication is the Process in which a Water Body of an Ecosystem becomes Overly Enriched by Natural or Artificial Means. Although eutrophication is evident mostly in slow-moving rivers and shallow lakes it can occur in ditches, coastal waters, and groundwater. One example is the “bloom” or great increase of phytoplankton in a water body as a response to increased levels of nutrients. Eutrophication occurs in a body of water when an increase of mineral and organic nutrients has reduced the dissolved oxygen, producing an environment that favours plant over animal life. However, as the demand for more farmland productivity continues to increase that will continue to result in increased use of phosphate- and nitrogen-rich fertilizers. According to some sources, 54 percent of the lakes in Asia are eutrophic. Share . The aquatic ecosystem is very complex by constant interactions between physical, chemical and biological components. These substances, moreover, form complex chemical compounds that prevent normal purification processes and are deposited on the walls of the water purifier inlet tubes, accelerating corrosion and limiting the flow rate; the water acquires disagreeable odours or tastes (of earth, of rotten fish, of cloves, of watermelon, etc.) Trophic status may vary both spatially and temporally. When eutrophication occurs in the ocean, and the population of certain species of microscopic dinoflagellates explodes, the water can turn red, brown, or pink—this is commonly referred to as a red tide. To destroy all the dead algae, an excessive consumption of oxygen is required, in some cases almost total, by microorganisms. In decomposing the plants rob the water of oxygen and the lake, river or stream becomes lifeless. Eutrophication, is nutrient enrichment; it drives excess primary productivity in waterways. It occurs when high levels of nutrients – often phosphates or nitrates – are introduced into the aquatic environment. N. Sechi (1986), Il Problema dell’eutrofizzazione dei laghi: la situazione trofica degli invasi della Sardegna. Eutrophication refers to a high concentration of nutrients in a body of water. Eutrophication is a condition where high nutrient concentration stimulates excess algae. removal and treatment of hypolimnetic water (deep water in contact with the sediments) rich in nutrients since in direct contact with the release source; drainage of the first 10-20 cm of sediment subject to biological reactions and with high phosphorus concentrations; oxygenation of water for restore the ecological conditions, reducing the negative effects of the eutrophic process, such as scarcity of oxygen and formation of toxic compounds deriving from the anaerobic metabolism; chemical precipitation of phosphorous by the addition of iron or aluminium salts or calcium carbonate to the water, which give rise to the precipitation of the respective iron, aluminium or calcium orthophosphates, thereby reducing the negative effects related to the excessive presence of phosphorus in the sediments. Low-phosphate detergents are replacing older forms of detergents with high phosphate contents. Eutrophication is characterised by a significant increase of algae (microscopic organisms similar to plants) due to the greater availability of one or more growth factors necessary for photosynthesis, such as sunlight, carbon dioxide and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus). Eutrophication occurs when there is an over excess of nutrients that is entering a body of water. http://www3.uninsubria.it/uninsubria/allegati/pagine/5114/eutrofizzazione.pdf, http://algaeanalytics.com/blog/2016/2/19/algae-blooms-a-general-discussion, http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/info/intro_en.htm, http://news.psu.edu/story/361695/2015/06/25/research/project-reduce-risk-harmful-algal-blooms-ponds-and-lakes, http://www.ecologiae.com/inquinamento-delle-acque/36576, http://www.ehow.com/list_7346477_harmful-effects-fertilizers-pesticides.html, http://www.lescienze.it/news/2008/07/22/news/eutrofizzazione_dei_laghi_non_solo_azoto-578799/, http://www.nationalgeographic.it/ambiente/2011/07/27/foto/cina_la_marea_verde_che_soffoca_le_spiagge-438797/3/#media, http://www.rivistadiagraria.org/articoli/anno-2013/laghetti-collinari-e-interrimento/, What is eutrophication? 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