Eutrophication
Biology: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 20.3.8
Eutrophication
Eutrophication happens when excessive fertiliser enters water sources from the land. This causes the availability of nitrates and other ions in the water to increase. The consequences of this are:
Increased growth of producers
- Very fast growth spurts, or 'blooms', of algae is common.
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Increases the rate of respiration of decomposers
- This means that producers decompose more quickly.
- This also leads to a lower level of dissolved oxygen in the water.
- Organisms that need oxygen can't respire, and so they die.
Test yourself on Eutrophication
Consequences of eutrophication
What do we call the outcome of excessive fertiliser entering watercourses from the land?
Which of the following is not a consequence of eutrophication?