What are the effects of eutrophication?
When eutrophication leads to an algal growth, several things can happen: • Algae can make water less clear and can block sunlight, stopping plants in the water from growing . • Algae photosynthesise (i.e. use sunlight to make food) during daylight hours. This adds oxygen to the water. But algae also consume oxygen at night, which means that oxygen levels can be very low in the early morning. This can suffocate fish and other creatures. • When algae and other plants rot, the bacteria causing the decay can remove large amounts of oxygen from the water. • High concentrations of algae can block filters at water treatment plants and affect the taste and smell of the water. We are also concerned about eutrophication in waters that are naturally low in nutrients (called oligotrophic). Small increases in nutrient levels in these waters can have large impacts on their plants and animals.
Related Questions
- GreenCell’s algae farms are enclosed and nutrients are recycled to make the most efficient use of resources. Can the GreenCell system use feed water streams that are high in nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen?
- Should I be concerned that the clam will not receive sufficient nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) from the refugium?
- What are the effects of eutrophication?
