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Nutrient pollution has impacted many streams, rivers, lakes, bays and coastal waters for the past several decades, resulting in serious environmental and human health issues, and impacting the economy. Too much nitrogen and phosphorus in the water causes algae to grow faster than ecosystems can handle.
What are two sources of increased nitrogen and phosphorus in a river that result from human activity?
Phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) are the primary nutrients that in excessive amounts pollute our lakes, streams, and wetlands. Nitrogen is essential to the production of plant and animal tissue. It is used primarily by plants and animals to synthesize protein.
What happens if there is too much nitrogen in an aquatic ecosystem?
Excess nitrogen can harm water bodies. Excess nitrogen can cause overstimulation of growth of aquatic plants and algae. Excessive growth of these organisms, in turn, can clog water intakes, use up dissolved oxygen as they decompose, and block light to deeper waters.
How does phosphorus affect algae growth?
Too much phosphorus can cause increased growth of algae and large aquatic plants, which can result in decreased levels of dissolved oxygen– a process called eutrophication. High levels of phosphorus can also lead to algae blooms that produce algal toxins which can be harmful to human and animal health.
What are the effects of nitrates and phosphates in aquatic ecosystems?
However, at night, dissolved oxygen may decrease to very low levels as a result of large numbers of oxygen consuming bacteria feeding on dead or decaying algae and other plants. Eutrophication – “The process by which a body of water acquires a high concentration of nutrients, especially phosphates and nitrates.
Why do nitrogen and phosphorus promote algae growth?
Nutrients promote and support the growth of algae and Cyanobacteria. The eutrophication (nutrient enrichment) of waterways is considered as a major factor. The main nutrients contributing to eutrophication are phosphorus and nitrogen. ... This phenomenon encourages the growth of algae.
Why is too much nitrogen and phosphorus bad for the environment?
Nutrient pollution is one of America's most widespread, costly and challenging environmental problems, and is caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus in the air and water. Too much nitrogen and phosphorus in the water causes algae to grow faster than ecosystems can handle.
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Too much phosphorus and nitrogen in the water can exhibit far-reaching and diverse influences on public health, on the economy, and the environment. The following are the consequences of increased phosphorus and nitrogen into water systems:
• When more than desired concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen get enter the environment, generally due to more amount of human activities, the water and air can become immensely polluted.
• Too much phosphorus and nitrogen in the water leads to excess growth of algae, which makes it tough for the ecosystem to handle.
• More growth of algae in the water bodies harms the quality of water, habitats, and food resources, and reduces the concentration of oxygen required for the fishes and other aquatic species to survive.
• The algal blooms are also harmful to humans as they give rise to bacterial growth and formation of toxins, which can make people sick, if they consume the polluted water, or consume contaminated seafood.
• The nutrient pollution at the groundwater level can be harmful to the millions of people living in the United States who use water for various purposes.
• The infants are susceptible to nitrates in drinking water as it may result in diseases like methemoglobinemia.
• When this excess nitrogen gets recycled back to the atmosphere, it can also harm the soils, forests, and various water bodies.
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