4.1.7

Eutrophication

Test yourself

Eutrophication

Using fertilisers can have negative impacts on the environment. For example, eutrophication can happen when too much fertiliser is used. The process of eutrophication is:

Illustrative background for 1) Leaching and overflowIllustrative background for 1) Leaching and overflow ?? "content

1) Leaching and overflow

  • Fertilisers that are sprayed onto fields can leach through the soil or flow into ponds, rivers and lakes.
    • Leaching is when water-soluble plant nutrients are lost from the soil.
  • This causes a build up of nutrients in the water.
Illustrative background for 2) Algal overgrowthIllustrative background for 2) Algal overgrowth ?? "content

2) Algal overgrowth

  • The excess of nutrients cause algae to rapidly grow on the surface of the water.
  • As algae accumulate, light is prevented from reaching the plants in the water beneath.
Illustrative background for 3) Plant deathIllustrative background for 3) Plant death ?? "content

3) Plant death

  • The plants underneath the algae eventually die because there is insufficient light for them to photosynthesise.
Illustrative background for 4) Increase in numbers of bacteriaIllustrative background for 4) Increase in numbers of bacteria ?? "content

4) Increase in numbers of bacteria

  • Bacteria decompose the dead plants.
  • As numbers of bacteria increase, the oxygen concentration in the water decreases.
  • Fish and other organisms will now die because there is not enough oxygen.

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

2Molecular Biology

3Genetics

4Ecology

5Evolution & Biodiversity

6Human Physiology

7AHL: Nucleic Acids

8AHL: Metabolism, Cell Respiration & Photosynthesis

9AHL: Plant Biology

9.1Transport in the Xylem of Plants

9.2Transport in the Phloem of Plants

9.3Growth in Plants

10AHL: Genetics & Evolution

11AHL: Animal Physiology

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium