Difference between revisions of "Portal:Eutrophication/Intro"

From Coastal Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
 
(59 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
'''[[Eutrophication]]''' is the enrichment of water by '''nutrients''', especially compounds of nitrogen and/or
+
[[Image:Envisatbloom.jpg|200px|thumb|right|<small>Envisat satellite image of an algal bloom across the Barents Sea (Photo Credit: ESA) </small>]]
−
phosphorus, causing an '''accelerated growth of algae''' and higher forms of plant life to produce an '''undesirable disturbance to the balance of organisms''' present in the water and to the quality of the water concerned.
+
<P ALIGN="justify">[[Eutrophication]] ('eu' = true or well; 'trophy' = food) is a leading threat to water quality around the world.
−
The negative effects of eutrophication on marine ecosystems include: [[algal bloom]]s, increased growth of macroalgae, increased sedimentation and oxygen consumption, oxygen depletion in the bottom water and sometimes the death of [[benthic]] animals and fish.
+
In the North Sea and English Channel, the phenomenon is related to two major activities: agriculture and industry. This gives an excess of [[nutrients]] ([[nitrogen|nitrates]], [[Phosphorus|phosphates]],...) in the water. This enrichment promotes the growth of [[algae]]. A small increase in algal [[biomass]] does not have any adverse effect on the [[ecosystem]] and can even result in an increase in certain fish populations. An over-stimulation of the growth of algae (an [[algal bloom]]), however, can lead to [[turbidity]] of the water. When the algae die, the water may be temporarily low in oxygen ([[hypoxia]]) what can result in the death of many fish.</P>
−
 
 
−
[[Image:Sack.jpg|right|thumb|<small>Algal bloom</small>]]
 

Latest revision as of 11:43, 17 February 2014

Envisat satellite image of an algal bloom across the Barents Sea (Photo Credit: ESA)

Eutrophication ('eu' = true or well; 'trophy' = food) is a leading threat to water quality around the world. In the North Sea and English Channel, the phenomenon is related to two major activities: agriculture and industry. This gives an excess of nutrients (nitrates, phosphates,...) in the water. This enrichment promotes the growth of algae. A small increase in algal biomass does not have any adverse effect on the ecosystem and can even result in an increase in certain fish populations. An over-stimulation of the growth of algae (an algal bloom), however, can lead to turbidity of the water. When the algae die, the water may be temporarily low in oxygen (hypoxia) what can result in the death of many fish.

Retrieved from "https://www.coastalwiki.org/w/index.php?title=Portal:Eutrophication/Intro&oldid=62234"