1
1.1 Introduction
During the early stages of formation, water bodies are in the
state of oligotrophy and support a pitiful of aquatic life because of nutrient deficiency. Enrichment of water with mineral nutrients, such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) causes
transformation of water bodies from oligotrophic to mesotrophic, eutrophic, and finally hypertrophic stage (Fig. 1.1).
1
Eutrophication: Challenges and
Solutions
M. Nasir Khan and F. Mohammad
M. N. Khan ()
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk,
Tabuk 71491, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
e-mail: nasirmn4@gmail.com
F. Mohammad
Plant Physiology Section, Department of Botany,
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
Abstract
On the hydrological map of the world eutrophication has become the primary water quality
issue. The excessive enrichment of waters with anthropogenic sources of nutrients especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) lead to the transformation of oligotrophic water bodies
to mesotrophic, eutrophic, and finally hypertrophic. Mesotrophic and eutrophic phases exhibit intermediate and rich levels of nutrients and show increasing and serious water quality
problems, respectively. Eutrophication restricts water use for fisheries, recreation, industry,
and drinking because of increased growth of undesirable algae and aquatic weeds and the
oxygen shortages caused by their death and decomposition. Associated periodic surface
blooms of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) occur in drinking water supplies and may pose
a serious health hazard to animals and humans. Anthropogenic activities are the worst culprit of nutrient enrichment and root cause of eutrophication of water bodies. Excess nutrient
inputs to water bodies usually come from sewage, industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, construction sites, and urban areas. Eutrophication can be minimized by regulating the
nutrient sources, reducing the use of fertilizers, proper soil management practices, implementing mathematical models, phytoremediation etc. Among these, public awareness of
eutrophication can play an important role in preventing the eutrophication of water bodies.
Keywords
Eutrophication · Fertilizers · Livestock intensification · Nitrogen · Phosphorus · Phytoremediation · Wastewater flow
Mesotrophic and eutrophic phases exhibit intermediate and
rich levels of nutrients and show increasing and serious water
quality problems, respectively. Whereas, hypertrophic phase
is the excessive enrichment of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem with anthropogenic sources of nutrients is termed as eutrophication which has been identified as the main cause of
impaired surface water quality. Eutrophication restricts water
use for fisheries, recreation, industry, and drinking because
of increased growth of undesirable algae and aquatic weeds
and the oxygen shortages caused by their death and decomposition. Associated periodic surface blooms of cyanobacteria
(blue-green algae) occur in drinking water supplies and may
pose a serious health hazard to animals and humans (Fig. 1.1).
A. A. Ansari, S. S. Gill (eds.), Eutrophication: Causes, Consequences and Control,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-7814-6_1, © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014
1.1 Introduction
During the early stages of formation, water bodies are in the
state of oligotrophy and support a pitiful of aquatic life because of nutrient deficiency. Enrichment of water with mineral nutrients, such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) causes
transformation of water bodies from oligotrophic to mesotrophic, eutrophic, and finally hypertrophic stage (Fig. 1.1).
1
Eutrophication: Challenges and
Solutions
M. Nasir Khan and F. Mohammad
M. N. Khan ()
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk,
Tabuk 71491, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
e-mail: nasirmn4@gmail.com
F. Mohammad
Plant Physiology Section, Department of Botany,
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
Abstract
On the hydrological map of the world eutrophication has become the primary water quality
issue. The excessive enrichment of waters with anthropogenic sources of nutrients especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) lead to the transformation of oligotrophic water bodies
to mesotrophic, eutrophic, and finally hypertrophic. Mesotrophic and eutrophic phases exhibit intermediate and rich levels of nutrients and show increasing and serious water quality
problems, respectively. Eutrophication restricts water use for fisheries, recreation, industry,
and drinking because of increased growth of undesirable algae and aquatic weeds and the
oxygen shortages caused by their death and decomposition. Associated periodic surface
blooms of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) occur in drinking water supplies and may pose
a serious health hazard to animals and humans. Anthropogenic activities are the worst culprit of nutrient enrichment and root cause of eutrophication of water bodies. Excess nutrient
inputs to water bodies usually come from sewage, industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, construction sites, and urban areas. Eutrophication can be minimized by regulating the
nutrient sources, reducing the use of fertilizers, proper soil management practices, implementing mathematical models, phytoremediation etc. Among these, public awareness of
eutrophication can play an important role in preventing the eutrophication of water bodies.
Keywords
Eutrophication · Fertilizers · Livestock intensification · Nitrogen · Phosphorus · Phytoremediation · Wastewater flow
Mesotrophic and eutrophic phases exhibit intermediate and
rich levels of nutrients and show increasing and serious water
quality problems, respectively. Whereas, hypertrophic phase
is the excessive enrichment of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem with anthropogenic sources of nutrients is termed as eutrophication which has been identified as the main cause of
impaired surface water quality. Eutrophication restricts water
use for fisheries, recreation, industry, and drinking because
of increased growth of undesirable algae and aquatic weeds
and the oxygen shortages caused by their death and decomposition. Associated periodic surface blooms of cyanobacteria
(blue-green algae) occur in drinking water supplies and may
pose a serious health hazard to animals and humans (Fig. 1.1).
A. A. Ansari, S. S. Gill (eds.), Eutrophication: Causes, Consequences and Control,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-7814-6_1, © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014