Eutrophication- Definition, Causes, Classification, Effects

Eutrophication- Definition, Causes, Classification, Effects
What Is Eutrophication?
Eutrophication is the process in which a water body becomes overly enriched with nutrients, leading to plentiful growth of simple plant life. The excessive growth (or bloom) of algae and plankton in a water body are indicators of this process. Eutrophication is considered to be a serious environmental concern since it often results in the deterioration of water quality and the depletion of dissolved oxygen in water bodies. Eutrophic waters can eventually become “dead zones” that are incapable of supporting life.
Causes of Eutrophication
The availability of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus limits the growth of plant life in an ecosystem. When water bodies are overly enriched with these nutrients, the growth of algae, plankton, and other simple plant life is favored over the growth of more complex plant life.
Effects of Eutrophication
Primarily, the adverse effects of eutrophication on aquatic bodies include a decrease in biodiversity, increase in toxicity of the water body, and change in species dominance. Some other important effects of this process are listed below.

Phytoplanktons grow much faster in such situations. These phytoplankton species are toxic and are inedible.
Gelatinous zooplankton blooms fast in these waters.
Increased biomass of epiphytic and benthic algae can be observed in eutrophic waters.
Significant changes arise in the species composition of macrophytes and the biomass.
The water loses its transparency and develops a bad smell and colour. The treatment of this water becomes difficult.
Depletion of dissolved oxygen in the water body.
Frequent fish kill incidents occur and many desirable fish species are removed from the water body.
The populations of shellfish and harvestable fish are lowered.
The aesthetic value of the water body diminishes significantly.
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