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It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Eutrophication. (Discuss) |
A eutrophic body of water, commonly a lake or pond has high primary productivity due to excessive nutrients and is subject to algal blooms resulting in poor water quality. The bottom waters of such bodies are commonly deficient in oxygen, ranging from hypoxic to anoxic. Eutrophic waters commonly lack fish species like trout which require cold, well-oxygenated waters. This oxygen deficiency is most apparent in shallow lakes, owing to the smaller hypolimnetic volume. The process of eutrophication may occur naturally or be the result of anthropogenic influences. [1]
Eutrophic comes from from the Greek eutrophos meaning well-nourished, from eu meaning good and trephein meaning to nourish[2]
Eutrophic waters are distinguished from oligotrophic waters, characterized by a nutrient deficiency, and mesotrophic waters with an intermediate level of productivity.
See also
References
- ^ Campbell, Neil A.; Reece, Jane B. (2005). Biology. Benjamin Cummings. p. 1230 p. ISBN 0-8053-7146-X.
- ^ Definition of eutrophic at dictionary.com.
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