Question

In a process called _____, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilize algae in the water, resulting in algal blooms.

Answer 1

Algal bloom refers to the excessive growth of algae in water bodies leading to a mat-like appearence of the algae on the suface or discolouration of the water bodies by the algal pigments. Eutrophication is a process showing excessive growth of algae in the water resulting in the algal blooms.

Fertilizers are the plant growth promoting chemical substances rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Agricultural revolution is associated with the usage of large amounts of fertilizers. These fertilizers are carried to water bodies and excess of nitrogen and phosphorus in them cause the algae to reproduce at a quicker rate causing algal blooms. Accumulation of sewage and detergents are also a cause of algal blooms.

Eutrophication is defined as a condition in which the water body becomes enriched with nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus resulting in the growth and reproduction of algae. This causes a mat-like growth of the algae interfering with the penetration of the sunlight into it. It leads to the death of other plants and animals in it due to decreased oxygen content in the water body. Further, the bacteria use more oxygen to decompose the dead plants and animals depleting the oxygen levels in the water body. Certain algal blooms also produce toxins which are harmful to other living organisms of the water body.

Thus, Eutrophication is the process in which the nitogen and phosphorus in the water result in algal blooms.