oligotrophy

Oligotrophic refers to bodies of water, like lakes or oceans, that have very low levels of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Because of this scarcity of nutrients, they generally support less algae and plant growth. These environments tend to be clear, often with high oxygen levels and pristine conditions, making them different from nutrient-rich, more productive waters. Oligotrophic lakes are often deep, cold, and have low primary productivity, meaning they produce less organic material through photosynthesis compared to more nutrient-rich bodies of water.