Understanding Eutrophication

Front

Main nutrient causing eutrophication

Back

Nitrate

Front

What is the main source of the nutrient causing eutrophication?

Back

Excess fertiliser dissolving in water and running off (leaching)

Front

What effect does excess nitrate have in a river?

Back

Algal blooms

Front

Consequence of algal blooms

Back

Stops light reaching plants in the water

Front

Result of oxygen depletion

Back

Fish kills

Front

Human activity contributing to eutrophication

Back

Use of fertilisers

Front

Natural process or human-induced?

Back

Both, but accelerated by humans

Front

Diagram label: Algal bloom

Back

Dense green layer on water surface

Front

Diagram label: Dead zone

Back

Area with low oxygen

Front

What happens to the plants that die in the water?

Back

Decomposed by bacteria