8.1.7
Eutrophication
Eutrophication
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:


1) Leaching and overflow
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.


2) Algal overgrowth
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.


3) Plant death
3) Plant death
- The plants underneath the algae eventually die because there is insufficient light for them to photosynthesise.


4) Increase in numbers of bacteria
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.
1Unity & Diversity - Molecules
1.1Water
1.2DNA Structure & Replication
1.3Transcription & Gene Expression
2Unity & Diversity - Cells
2.1The Origin of Cells
2.2Introduction to Cells
2.3Ultrastructure of Cells
2.4Cell Division
2.5Structure of DNA & RNA
2.6DNA Replication, Transcription & Translation
2.7Cell Respiration
2.8Photosynthesis
2.9Viruses
3Unity & Diversity - Organisms
3.1Diversity of Organisms
3.2Evidence for Evolution
4Unity & Diversity - Ecosystems
4.1Classification
4.3Evolution & Speciation
4.3.1Evidence for Evolution - Fossils & DNA
4.3.2Evidence for Evolution - Anatomy & Geography
4.3.3IB Multiple Choice - Evidence for Evolution
4.3.4Extended Response - DNA & Evolution
4.3.5Populations
4.3.6Mutations, Genetic Drift, & Gene Flow
4.3.7Speciation
4.3.8Rate of Speciation
4.3.9Allopatric & Sympatric Speciation
4.4Conservation of Biodiversity
5Form & Function - Molecules
6Form & Function - Cells
6.1Membranes & Membrane Transport
6.2Organelles & Compartmentalization
6.3Cell Specialization
7Form & Function - Organisms
7.2Transport
7.3Muscle & Motility
8Form & Function - Ecosystems
8.1Species, Communities & Ecosytems
8.3Carbon Cycle
9Interaction & Interdependence - Molecules
9.1Enzymes
9.2Metabolism
9.3Cell Respiration
10Interaction & Interdependence - Cells
10.1Chemical Signalling
10.2Neural Signalling
10.3Adaptation to Environment
10.4Ecological Niches
11Interaction & Interdependence - Organisms
11.1Integration of Body Systems
12Interaction & Interdependence - Ecosystems
12.1Populations & Communities
12.2Transfers of Energy & Matter
13Continuity & Change - Molecules
13.1DNA Replication
13.2Protein Synthesis
14Continuity & Change - Cells
15Continuity & Change - Organisms
15.1Inheritance
15.1.1Non-Nuclear Inheritance
15.1.2Linked Genes
15.1.3IB Multiple Choice - Non-Mendelian Genetics
15.1.4Extended Response - Inheritance
15.1.5Introduction to Non-Mendelian Inheritance
15.1.6Chi-Squared Test
15.1.7End of Topic Quiz - Inheritance
15.1.8Sex-Linked Genes
15.1.9Grade 4-5 (Scientific Practices) - Inheritance
16Continuity & Change - Ecosystems
16.1Natural Selection
16.2Stability & Change
Jump to other topics
1Unity & Diversity - Molecules
1.1Water
1.2DNA Structure & Replication
1.3Transcription & Gene Expression
2Unity & Diversity - Cells
2.1The Origin of Cells
2.2Introduction to Cells
2.3Ultrastructure of Cells
2.4Cell Division
2.5Structure of DNA & RNA
2.6DNA Replication, Transcription & Translation
2.7Cell Respiration
2.8Photosynthesis
2.9Viruses
3Unity & Diversity - Organisms
3.1Diversity of Organisms
3.2Evidence for Evolution
4Unity & Diversity - Ecosystems
4.1Classification
4.3Evolution & Speciation
4.3.1Evidence for Evolution - Fossils & DNA
4.3.2Evidence for Evolution - Anatomy & Geography
4.3.3IB Multiple Choice - Evidence for Evolution
4.3.4Extended Response - DNA & Evolution
4.3.5Populations
4.3.6Mutations, Genetic Drift, & Gene Flow
4.3.7Speciation
4.3.8Rate of Speciation
4.3.9Allopatric & Sympatric Speciation
4.4Conservation of Biodiversity
5Form & Function - Molecules
6Form & Function - Cells
6.1Membranes & Membrane Transport
6.2Organelles & Compartmentalization
6.3Cell Specialization
7Form & Function - Organisms
7.2Transport
7.3Muscle & Motility
8Form & Function - Ecosystems
8.1Species, Communities & Ecosytems
8.3Carbon Cycle
9Interaction & Interdependence - Molecules
9.1Enzymes
9.2Metabolism
9.3Cell Respiration
10Interaction & Interdependence - Cells
10.1Chemical Signalling
10.2Neural Signalling
10.3Adaptation to Environment
10.4Ecological Niches
11Interaction & Interdependence - Organisms
11.1Integration of Body Systems
12Interaction & Interdependence - Ecosystems
12.1Populations & Communities
12.2Transfers of Energy & Matter
13Continuity & Change - Molecules
13.1DNA Replication
13.2Protein Synthesis
14Continuity & Change - Cells
15Continuity & Change - Organisms
15.1Inheritance
15.1.1Non-Nuclear Inheritance
15.1.2Linked Genes
15.1.3IB Multiple Choice - Non-Mendelian Genetics
15.1.4Extended Response - Inheritance
15.1.5Introduction to Non-Mendelian Inheritance
15.1.6Chi-Squared Test
15.1.7End of Topic Quiz - Inheritance
15.1.8Sex-Linked Genes
15.1.9Grade 4-5 (Scientific Practices) - Inheritance
16Continuity & Change - Ecosystems
16.1Natural Selection
16.2Stability & Change
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