Eutrophication: impacts of excess nutrient inputs on freshwater, marine,
terrestrial ecosystems
Muhammad Sheraz Ghaffar
Introduction
Eutrophication is defined as, the nutrients enrichment of a water body which is leading to enhance
organic production. Eutrophication is one of the major problems due to enrichment of nutrients which is
consequences of anthropogenic activities such as domestic and sewage discharge, fish farming,
deforestation and land use which badly affects the marine coastal ecosystem. Eutrophication can cause the
change in structure and functioning of marine ecosystem . Marine phytoplanktons are also affected by
anthropogenic eutrophication. Diatom and din-flagellates are two groups that are responsible for harmful
phytoplankton which have adverse effects on human health as well as marine fisheries and aquacultures.
All harmful phytoplankton species contains 75% and 5% of diatoms and din-flagellates. First step of
eutrophication acceleration is the entry of nitrogen and phosphorous in aquatic ecosystem. Agricultural
lands are responsible for higher levels nutrients than natural forests and grasslands. Environment is also
affected by eutrophication because it destroys the quality of water which is dangerous to human health as
well as marine species.
Nutrient concentrations are changing in lakes, rivers and coastal waters in all over the world due to man-
made activities. Increasing use of pesticides and fertilizers for the agriculture, increasing demands of
energy and untreated wastewaters are the main trigger forces to change the chemistry the aquatic systems.
Phosphorous and Nitrogen are the two main elements which are responsible for the highly acceleration of
nutrients and also for growth of plants. The initial stage of the acceleration of eutrophication is the
entrance of these two nutrients in the aquatic system. Phosphorous is an element that founds naturally in
the water bodies. Owing to this, phosphorous is also added in the water bodies by anthropogenic
activities. The dissolution of the compounds of soil, organic matter decomposition and the decomposition
of micro-organisms happens through anthropogenic activities like industrial waste, detergents, fertilizers
and animal execrations. This is the natural origin of phosphorous.
The very high concentration of Nitrogen, as Nitrates, is not only responsible for the eutrophication but it
also has an adverse effect on the health of public. The highly nitrate concentration in the drinking water is
the main cause of disease, methaemoglobinemia. Nitrates can be reduced to nitrites by intestinal bacteria
and pass into blood, producing the oxidation of Fe (2)-hemoglobin and making methaemoglobin unable to
fix, carry and bind oxygen to tissues. The concentration of phosphate and nitrate can be determined by
using the molybdovanadate method and ion selective electrode respectively.
terrestrial ecosystems
Muhammad Sheraz Ghaffar
Introduction
Eutrophication is defined as, the nutrients enrichment of a water body which is leading to enhance
organic production. Eutrophication is one of the major problems due to enrichment of nutrients which is
consequences of anthropogenic activities such as domestic and sewage discharge, fish farming,
deforestation and land use which badly affects the marine coastal ecosystem. Eutrophication can cause the
change in structure and functioning of marine ecosystem . Marine phytoplanktons are also affected by
anthropogenic eutrophication. Diatom and din-flagellates are two groups that are responsible for harmful
phytoplankton which have adverse effects on human health as well as marine fisheries and aquacultures.
All harmful phytoplankton species contains 75% and 5% of diatoms and din-flagellates. First step of
eutrophication acceleration is the entry of nitrogen and phosphorous in aquatic ecosystem. Agricultural
lands are responsible for higher levels nutrients than natural forests and grasslands. Environment is also
affected by eutrophication because it destroys the quality of water which is dangerous to human health as
well as marine species.
Nutrient concentrations are changing in lakes, rivers and coastal waters in all over the world due to man-
made activities. Increasing use of pesticides and fertilizers for the agriculture, increasing demands of
energy and untreated wastewaters are the main trigger forces to change the chemistry the aquatic systems.
Phosphorous and Nitrogen are the two main elements which are responsible for the highly acceleration of
nutrients and also for growth of plants. The initial stage of the acceleration of eutrophication is the
entrance of these two nutrients in the aquatic system. Phosphorous is an element that founds naturally in
the water bodies. Owing to this, phosphorous is also added in the water bodies by anthropogenic
activities. The dissolution of the compounds of soil, organic matter decomposition and the decomposition
of micro-organisms happens through anthropogenic activities like industrial waste, detergents, fertilizers
and animal execrations. This is the natural origin of phosphorous.
The very high concentration of Nitrogen, as Nitrates, is not only responsible for the eutrophication but it
also has an adverse effect on the health of public. The highly nitrate concentration in the drinking water is
the main cause of disease, methaemoglobinemia. Nitrates can be reduced to nitrites by intestinal bacteria
and pass into blood, producing the oxidation of Fe (2)-hemoglobin and making methaemoglobin unable to
fix, carry and bind oxygen to tissues. The concentration of phosphate and nitrate can be determined by
using the molybdovanadate method and ion selective electrode respectively.
