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• The term 'Eutrophication' is derived
from the Greek word 'eutrophos' which
means nourished or enriched. In context
with the environment, the
Eutrophication can be defined as the
addition of artificial or non-artificial
substances such as nitrates and
phosphate, through fertilizers or
sewage, to a fresh water system. It leads
to increase in the primary productivity
of the water body or 'bloom' of
phytoplankton.
• "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".
• This is one of the first definitions given to the eutrophic
process by the OECD (Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development) in the 70s.
 y
• The term Eutrophication is more widely known in relation
to human activities where the artificial introduction of
plant nutrients has led to community changes and a
deterioration of water quality in many freshwater systems.
• This aspect has become increasingly important with
increases in human population and more extensive
development of agriculture and eutrophication now ranks
with other major anthropogenic effects such as
deforestation, global warming depletion of the ozone
layer and large scale environmental disturbance in relation
to its potentially harmful effect on natural ecosystems.
NUTRIENT
INTAKE --,
SOLAR ◊
ENERGY

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• Natural Eutrophication: In this eutrophication, water body
like the lake is characterised by nutrient enrichment.
During this process, oligotrophic lake is converted into a
eutrophic lake. It permits the production of
phytoplankton, algal blooms and aquatic vegetation that
in turn provide ample food for herbivorous zooplankton
and fish.
i?• Cultural Eutrophication: It is caused by human activities
because they are responsible for the addition of 80%
nitrogen and 75% phosphorous in lake and stream.

• Anthropogenic Eutrophication
• Anthropogenic eutrophication is caused by human activity
- Agricultural farms, golf courses, lawns, etc. are supplied
with nutrients by humans in the form of fertilizers. These
fertilizers are washed away by rains and eventually find
their way into water bodies such as lakes and rivers.
• Accor ding to the Surve y of the State of the World s
Lakes, eutro phica tion affect s :
• 54% of Asian lakes, "
• 53% of those in Europ e,
• 48% of those in North Ameri ca,
• 41% of those in South Amer ica and
• 28% of those in Africa
 Nitrogen Phosphorus
These
nutrients
cause an
increase 1n
phytopl~n~cn

Sedlmentshm
land block sunlght
Algae Die

~s

Lose: Food, Habitat • Oxygen Pnxludlo.1

 Causes
• The availability of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus limits
the growth of plant life in an ecosystem. When water bodies are
overly enriched with these nutrients, the growth of algae,
plankton, and other simple plant life is favoured over the growth of
more complex plant life.
•
Excessive use of fertilizers.
• Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are also a major
source of polluting nutrients.
• Industrial and domestic waste.
 H~poxtc colt\dU:tolt\.s
• The excessive growth of algae in eutrophic waters is
accompanied by the generation of a large biomass of dead
algae. These dead algae sink to the bottom of the water
body where they are broken down by bacteria, which
consume oxygen in the process.

• The overconsumption of oxygen leads to hypoxic

conditions ( conditions in which the availability of oxygen is
low) in the water. The hypoxic conditions at the lower
levels of the water body lead to the suffocation and
eventual death of larger life forms such as fish.
Minimal Excessive
Nutrient Nutrient Inputs
Inputs
·., ; , . :· :
' ...
~

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Balanced '
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I
Algae Growth I
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I .:
·Healthy i Eutrophic
System i Sy_stem .~ .:·.:·.:...Alga~ Die-off .
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., ......
I Al~ae
fllfll i' D~m ~on
 Effec ts
• 1. Algal blooms cover the water bodies like river, lake, stream or
ocean, blocks light from reaching the water which prevents the
aquatic plants from photosynthe sizing.
• 2 . Lack of photosynth esis causes oxygen deficiency which results in
a decline of marine species.
• 3. Hypoxic condition forms the dead zones which have not only
negative ecological impacts but also have eionomic issues.
• 4. The water can have a bad taste, colour and odour, which has a
negative impact on tourism. Governmen ts have to invest more in
waste water treatment.
• Phytoplanktons grow much faster in such situations. These
phytoplankton species are toxic and are inedible.
• Gelatinous zooplankton blooms fast in these waters.
• Increased biomass of epiphytic and benthic algae can be observed
in eutrophic waters.
• Significant changes arise in the species composition of
macrophytes and the biomass.
• The water loses its transparency and develops a bad smell and
colour. The treatment of this water becomes difficult.
• Depletion of dissolved oxygen in
the water body.
• Frequent fish kill incidents occur
and many desirable fish species
are removed from the water
body.
• The populations of shellfish and
harvestable fish are lowered.
• The aesthetic value of the water
body diminishes significantly.
• Ecological Effects of Eutrophication
• Decrease in Biodiversity
• Increase in Water Toxicity
• Invasion of New Species
• 1. Industrial and domestic waste water must be treated before its
discharge into water bodies.
• 2. Recycling of nutrients through harvesting.
• 3. Removal of algal blood.
• 4. Precipitants like alum, lime, iron and sodium aluminate may use.
Physicochemical methods can be applied to remove nutrients. For
Example- Phosphorous can be removed by precipitation and
nitrogen by nitrification or denitrification.
• Conventionally, there have been some methods to
control/reduce eutrophication viz. the alteration of excess
nutrients, physical mixing of the water, application of
powerful herbicides and algaecides among others.

• These methods have proven to be ineffective, expensive

and impractical for large ecosystems. /?
 Curative procedures

• removal and treatment ofP(f eep water in contact with the

sediments rich in nutrients since in direct contact with the release
source;
• drainage of the upper part of sediment subject to biological
reactions and with high phosphorus concentrations;
• oxygenation of water for restoring the ecological conditions,
• chemical precipitation of phosphorus by the addition of iron or
aluminium salts or calcium carbonate to the water,