Eutrophication

Sound Familiar?• Eutrophication

–The natural process that occurs in an aging lake or pond as that body of water gradually increases its concentration of plant nutrients.

Nitrogen Phosphorus

• Cultural Eutrophication –The artificial process that occurs when human activities add

plant nutrients to bodies of water. • Fertilizers, wastewater, etc.

Causes rapid growth of algae, which eventually dies.

• Algae that eventually dies is decomposed by microbes. - Drops oxygen levels in the waterbody.

Evidence of Eutrophication Nutrient Pollution• The main anthropogenic sources are:

Sources for Chesapeake Bay

Connecticut is currently updating sewage treatment plants to remove nutrients before discharge.

• Sewage - Septic Tanks - Sewage treatment plants - Animal feed lots

• Produce lots of manure.

• Fertilizer - From agricultural fields and lawns.

• Acid Rain - Nitric acid precipitates into the water.

Hypoxia and Anoxia

• Consequences: • Loss of recreational water usage • Waterfront real estate • Recovery of threatened and endangered species • Fishery losses

Eutrophication in LIS

Let’s look at Long Island Sound to see what is going on!