Eutrophy

Eutrophication is a process where a water body, like a lake or pond, becomes overly enriched with nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients often come from fertilizers, sewage, or runoff from land. Excess nutrients promote algae and plant growth, which can rapidly deplete oxygen levels when they decay. This oxygen depletion can harm or kill aquatic life, leading to poor water quality and sometimes dead zones where few organisms can survive. While nutrients are essential for aquatic ecosystems, too many in a concentrated area cause these negative effects, transforming a healthy water system into a less balanced, less supportive environment.