Professor Rashidul Alam

Contents :
INTRODUCTION
CAUSE OF EUTROPHICATION
SOURCES OF NUTRIENTS
PROCESSES OF EUTROPHICATION
EFFECT OF EUTROPHICATION
CONTROLLING EUTROPHICATION
CONCLUSION
 EUTROPHICATION
Eutrophication is the process of nutrient enrichment of an
aquatic ecosystem leading to an excessive biological
production and decrease transparency of water body.
Eutrophication derived from Greek ward meaning ‘well
nourished’.
 CAUSE OF EUTROPHICATION
The main cause of eutrophication is the large input of
nutrients to a water body.

This excessive concentration of plant nutrients (mainly N &

P) originating from agriculture or sewage treatment.
This can lead to algal blooms. The direct consequence is
excessive oxygen consumption near the bottom of the
water body.
 Sources of nutrients
Sources

Natural Source Anthropogenic sources

Atmospheric deposition
NH3 & NOX in precipitation

Urban Sources Rural Sources

Domestic sewage Agricultural runoff

Fertilizer & Soil erosion
Industrial waste
Forest management
Storm drainage
Rural Dwelling
Hospital waste Septic system
 PROCESSES OF EUTROPHICATION

Nutrient enrichment from natural & anthropogenic sources

Increase the productivity of aquatic system

Excessive growth of algae & water body becomes colored

Activities of decomposer also increase

Decomposition of organic matter & dead algae require O2

Living organism & Algae also use O2 for respiration at night

O2 concentration decreases rapidly

Adversely affect aquatic life, death of fish, decrease transparency

EUTROPHICATION
 EFFECT OF EUTROPHICATION

Effects on Ecosystem :
Species diversity decreases and dominant biota changes.
Plant and animal biomass increase.
Excessive macrophyte growth occurs.
Water transparency decrease and turbidity increase.
Rate of sedimentation increase, shortening the life time of lake.
Anoxic condition may develop due to O2 depletion.

Effects on Benthos :

Decrease biodiversity in benthic fauna.

Affect food chain by the death of benthic organisms.
 EFFECT OF EUTROPHICATION

Effects on Human Health

The water may be injurious to health

Toxins produce by cyanobacteria may cause risk to human health.

Microcystis, Anabaena produce toxins, which cause
Liver damage at low concentration.
Become neurotoxin
Paralysis
Death in a short time (5 min)

Other Problems
Cause problems in water purification system, water become
odorous
Biofilms grow inside the surface of water supply pipes
Create navigation problem,
Create problem in fishing, swimming and sailing.
CONTROLLING EUTROPHICATION

Biological Control

By harvesting aquatic macrophytes.

By Biomanipulation
For example, introducing size selective predator like,
Zooplankton.

Physical control
By controlling the source of nutrients.
By using organic manure rather then chemical fertilizer.
By removing excessive weeds, debris and dredging of lake
sediments.

Chemical Control
Application of chemicals to destroy algal growth, such as
CuSO4 and Cl2 are commonly used for this purpose.
 CONCLUSION

Eutrophication is very much harmful for aquatic ecosystem as

well as for human. In our Country Eutrophication occurs in
shallow lake and ponds during Winter season. Lake become
odorous, turbidity increase and fishes die. So, we can take
necessary steps to control eutrofication in Pre Winter.
More research and continuous monitoring are needed to
solve the Eutrophication problem.