Eutrophication

The creation of harmful algal blooms and ocean dead zones are both the result of a process known as eutrophication. This impactful environmental issue starts from an abundant load of nutrients which enter coastal waterways and water-systems. The heightened enrichment of nutrients in aquatic ecosystems causes an increased growth of harmful algae-blooms (HABS). HABs drastically change the balance and overall health of aquatic ecosystems.

Eutrophication is heavily human induced, where a main cause comes from industrial agriculture operations. Agriculture nutrients that fuel HABs include manure, ammonia, nitrogen, phosphorus and other various fertilizers of significant amounts. These nutrients are transferred from land to water via runoff. Wastewater and industrial sewage leakage or faulty treatment plants also cause increased nutrient-loading and thereby algae blooms.

The abundance of HABs creates high amounts of CO2, moreover lowering seawater PH levels. This process is known as ocean acidification. Algae blooms create an oxygen deficiency affecting ocean life, clogs fish gills and blankets coral reefs and bethnic zones. Also, the thick algae layer prevents sunlight from reaching the ocean floor for photosynthesis to occur with ocean plants and micro-algae.

Eutrophication establishes a significant shift in biodiversity and impacts the overall health of aquatic ecosystems. Runoff prevention and regulation measures towards large scale agriculture are critical. Moreover, improved industrial waste systems are needed for hopes of improving the number of algae blooms that will occur in the future.