With reference to Eutrophication, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1.It is a phenomenon of nutrient enrichment of a water body.

2. It depletes dissolved oxygen from the water.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

The correct answer is Both 1 and 2.

Key Points

•  Eutrophication:
  • Eutrophication is a process when a body of water becomes overly enriched with minerals and nutrients that cause excessive growth of plants and algae. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • The process results in oxygen depletion of the water body. Hence, the statement is 2 correct.
• Eutrophication leads to algal bloom
  • The eutrophic water body is a body of water rich in nutrients and so supporting a dense plant population, the decomposition of which kills animal life by depriving it of oxygen.
  • Phytoplankton which contains algae and blue-green bacteria thrive on the excess nutrients and their population explosion covers almost the entire surface layer such a condition is known as an algal bloom.
• Effects of Eutrophication:
  • Loss of freshwater lakes.
  • New species invasion
  • Loss of coral reefs
  • Toxicity