Define eutrophication. write its consequences.(effects)

Eutrophication is the process in which a water body becomes overly enriched with nutrients, leading to plentiful growth of simple plant life. The excessive growth (or bloom) of algae and plankton in a water body are indicators of this process. Eutrophication is considered to be a serious environmental concern since it often results in the deterioration of water quality and the depletion of dissolved oxygen in water bodies. Eutrophic waters can eventually become “dead zones” that are incapable of supporting life.

Eutrophication may be defined as the inorganic nutrient enrichment of natural waters, leading to an increased production of algae and macrophytes. Many lakes are naturally eutrophic and in some cases there is a progressive eutrophication as the lake matures. The term Eutrophication is more widely known in relation to human activities where the artificial introduction of plant nutrients has led to community changes and a deterioration of water quality in many freshwater systems. This aspect has become increasingly important with increases in human population and more extensive development of agriculture and eutrophication now ranks with other major anthropogenic effects such as deforestation, global warming depletion of the ozone layer and large scale environmental disturbance in relation to its potentially harmful effect on natural ecosystems.