What process involves the addition of excess nutrients to water leading to increased plant growth?

What process involves the addition of excess nutrients to water leading to increased plant growth?

• A. Pollution
• B. Leaching
• C. Eutrophication
• D. Erosion

Answer: (C)

Excess nutrients entering a water body stimulate rapid growth of algae and aquatic plants. This over-enrichment is called eutrophication. When fertilizers, sewage, or detergents add nitrates and phosphates to rivers, lakes, or coastal waters, primary production spikes. The resulting algal blooms can block light for other aquatic plants, and when the algae die, decomposers consume large amounts of oxygen. The drop in dissolved oxygen can create dead zones, harming fish and invertebrates and reducing biodiversity. Eutrophication is a specific form of pollution driven by nutrient input, distinct from processes like leaching (nutrients moving through soil) or erosion (the removal of soil).

Excess nutrients entering a water body stimulate rapid growth of algae and aquatic plants. This over-enrichment is called eutrophication. When fertilizers, sewage, or detergents add nitrates and phosphates to rivers, lakes, or coastal waters, primary production spikes. The resulting algal blooms can block light for other aquatic plants, and when the algae die, decomposers consume large amounts of oxygen. The drop in dissolved oxygen can create dead zones, harming fish and invertebrates and reducing biodiversity. Eutrophication is a specific form of pollution driven by nutrient input, distinct from processes like leaching (nutrients moving through soil) or erosion (the removal of soil).