Eutrophication Eutrophication: the process of becoming or being made eutrophic Eutrophic: the state of being enriched in nutrients or food sources In aquatic ecosystems, eutrophication is caused by excessive inputs of nutrients, both N & P. Generally, freshwaters are P limited and coastal estuarine waters are N-limited. The nutrients enhance algal growth, and this, in turn, may have a cascade of effects on the ecosystem. These effects may include: Algal blooms, growth of undesirable algal species, oxygen depletion or anoxia in bottom waters, loss of cold-water fish species, ice of “rough fish”, fish kills, unpleasant tastes andNutrients & Eutrophication « The main nutrients causing are N in the form of nitrate, nitrite or ammonium and P in the form of ortho- phosphate. * In addition, supply of bioavailable organic P and N cause eutrophication * Silicate is essential for diatom growth, but it is assumed that silicate input is notHistory of Eutrophication + Eutrophication first noticed in lakes where P is the main problem + Also noticed in rivers + Estuaries + Bays and coastal waters affected: eg Gulf of Mexico * 70 % of world population fives in coastal plains, increasing pressureLake Succession "extinct" lake, mountain meadow , ¢The Eutrophication Paradigm 1. Nutrient enrichment ¢ Natural e Anthropogenic: urban, industrial, agricultural 2. Increased organic matter production e Increased growth transfers up the food chain 3. Gradual filling of basin ¢ Sedimentation e« Accumulation of slowly decomposing plants (peat) — refractory compounds 4. Terrestrial plant invasionFactors for Lake Succession NUTRIENT OUTPUTSEutrophication of water bodies can be classified by: chlorophyll a concentrations, Secchi disk visibilty. rena ase eee ou dels) sdk low primary productivity alos pt Lee high transparency CRE bit Eee Beller) high biomass of fewer speciesEutrophication 1. Sources of nutrient enrichment a. Municipal sewage b. Industrial wastes ec d e Agricultural fertilizers . Detergents (phosphorous) . Sediment from land clearing, road building, land development Poor forest practicesSources of nutrients ¢ Point sources — Sewage treatment plant discharges — Storm sewer discharges — Industrial discharges ¢ Non-point sources — Atmospheric deposition — Agricultural runoff (fertilizer, soil erosion) — Septic systems> Eutrophication rs ———. erase i rensaopearExpanded Eutrophication iviocci fent Effects and rs” |) [St Decreased ght Availity Pe Recreational Fisting Haman Heath Prebiems Swrnminn Iniuanee of Phiysioat and ‘Bitogical | ‘Nitrogen and. peal Muisance/Toxte . Processes Dominsnes 4 eae ron the freshwater Changes poco a [_—— Aesthatic Valies: re Low ‘Commercial Fisting Dissctver [2 Recreational Fishing Osyaen Tourism “Aesthetic Values Tours |Piycraenn en cerns cee crease Pela iye= cll reyen ero cleo) ur transparency, affect water taste and odour, /ead to depletion) of, oxygen) concentration, change fish community composition, decrease abundance| of submerged) macrophytes, Exrese ne senievaie loses Sene lemme parle nelle taCenm ca) Growth of Aquatic Plants Tjurbid) waters noxious odours and poor tasting water Anoxia and fish) kills Species Ghanges Massive expansion) of certain| aquatic plants and! reduction of biadiversity ” Elevated Nitrate Concentrations > Unreire=x=e) intet(ol eNOS EI Se eltel [)er= eSTHER ErPeCtS OF EUTROPHI , - * water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), Nese als eee ces aquatic fem (SalVinia molesta) Sosa Sen tne(=5 NT * Nile cabbage (Pistia stratiotes and reduction of biodiversity Eat ) = can cover large areas near-shore and can float into open water, ~ blocks light for submerged vascular plants and phytoplankton; soften produce large quantities of organic detritus (anoxia and emission of methane and/ hydrogen sulphide); “can restrict fishing and recreational uses of water bodies; = can block irngation|and| navigation channels and intakes of: hydroelectric power plants.Salen ater Zete SSTo LUN co (V7= col fall erate =Cofo)pTe=nh as} (ol "Increased Incidence of Water-related Diseases LINEN INEM ofo a Cefn) + High concentrations of nitrate (above 10/mg per litre) in drinking water, can/cause health problems, such as the inhibition of the ability of infants to Incorporate oxygen into\their blood and can result in a life threatening condition called| blue baby syndrome (methylhaemoglobinaemia). Increased Incidence of Water-related| Diseases * Eutrophication resulted] from untreated human sewage may facilitate spread|of human diseases. Municipal water supplies that pipe water throughout a city from central storage reservoirs are highly susceptible to spread of diseases, such/as typhoid|or cholera, that can be seeded by seemingly negligible faecal pollution from infected persons._ festriction of drinking water extraction or increase costs of water purification; BSUS Moule aT le Etro M ooo Nl Nauta oN Coole lM ECU! food production), although in some cases it may increase productivity; health hazards and lowering quality of life; USS ca oseCol go) Kok) = MUS MO) eC Felco) olan iaM an 0 Ce) oe at a icc venU CaU eM} oC=1r-1t(o10CONTROL OF EUTROPHICATION = EF Reduction of nutrient supply = feduction of external point and non-point pollution = EF Changing nutrient pathways by ESis application = conversion of nutrients ° from inorganic to organic forms « transfer from dynamic to Unavailable pool ¢ reduction of internal loading~ Improvement of the structure of landscape - (ig. aforestation, reforestation, landscape patchiness); ~ LANDSCAPE ~ Reduction of nutrients supply by application of: } constructed and natural wetlands; Restoration and management of land/water ecotones; LAND/WATER TRANSITION ZONES iS Restoration of rivers’ floodplains; » Inactivation of phosphorus in| sediments (e.g. by} festoration of littoral|and| bottom vegetation); ) ~ WATER COLUMN i AND SEDIMENTS PASS Allele eae Cc ofa ceaiualervarel Tale introduction of bottom) and littoralivegetation);Remediation * Sewage treatment (with biological nutrient removal). Smart septic tanks * Restoring wetlands and vegetation + Reduction of nonpoint sources of N & P * Efficient and intelligent use of fertilizer including timed application & sub soil delivery * Treatment of animal wastes and utilization of manure as fertilizer + Decrease animal protein diet demand * Controls on vehicles and industrial atmospheric outputs * Nutrient trading...although COz trading has NOT been a success