8.1.7

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:

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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.
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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.
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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

1Unity & Diversity - Molecules

2Unity & Diversity - Cells

3Unity & Diversity - Organisms

4Unity & Diversity - Ecosystems

5Form & Function - Molecules

6Form & Function - Cells

7Form & Function - Organisms

8Form & Function - Ecosystems

9Interaction & Interdependence - Molecules

10Interaction & Interdependence - Cells

11Interaction & Interdependence - Organisms

12Interaction & Interdependence - Ecosystems

12.1Populations & Communities

12.2Transfers of Energy & Matter

13Continuity & Change - Molecules

14Continuity & Change - Cells

15Continuity & Change - Organisms

16Continuity & Change - Ecosystems

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