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Basically this type of fish kill is caused by nature not being able to contend with mans input. Usually caused by soil or fertiliser run off from farms, excess nutrients get into the water ways/lakes etc. Then nature tries to use up these excess nutrients in the only way it can and that is by the growth of Algae. Algae are tiny plants that will use up the chemicals N.P.& K. and the many other trace elements that have become suddenly available in the water. When this happens it is called an "algae bloom". Then, when all the excess nutrients have been used up by the algae, there is nothing for the it to use up (eat?) so it dies. Now we have a different problem. The dead algae decays. This decaying process is speeded up by aerobic (oxygen using) bacteria which create a lack of oxygen in the water. At this stage both the bacteria and the fish become short of oxygen so they die off (suffocate) too. This creates another load of decaying matter and another excess of nutrients N.P.K. etc etc etc. This has started a continuing circle of algae bloom and decay which continues on taking nature a considerable time to clean up, settle down and get back to normal.
What else can I help you with?
What is the main cause of fish kills in rivers polluted by fertilizers?
The main cause of fish kills in rivers polluted by fertilizers is nutrient runoff leading to algal blooms. These blooms deplete oxygen levels in the water as they decompose, resulting in hypoxic (low oxygen) conditions that can suffocate fish and other aquatic organisms.
How can algal blooms be harmful to aquatic life?
because euglenophytes absorb waste and such... they recycle it and so!.. when theres to much waste the euglenophytes make things called "algal blooms" the algal blooms deplete the waters nutruents and oxygen killing algae and other organisms
How can algal blooms be bad?
Algae blooms are a form of bacteria and can cause skin irritation or respiratory irritation in people who get in the water or handle the algae. Some blooms of blue-green algae can produce chemicals that are toxic to animals and people who drink the untreated water.
Why is eutrophication bad?
Natural eutrophication isn't as much of a problem as artificial eutrophication. Artificial eutrophication is caused by humans (fertilizer from farms, lawns, gardens, etc. pesticides, herbicides, road chemicals, etc) these chemicals cause eutrophication to happen much faster than it should. If eutrophication happens faster, algal blooms (large floating mats of algae) form. When algal blooms decay, the bacteria that decays it depletes the oxygen in the lake or pond and the fish die of suffocation.
What causes alge blooms in ponds?
Algal blooms result from an abundance of nutrients, particularly phosphorus. Too much carbon and nitrogen have also been suspected to cause algal blooms, but little research has been done to prove it. When Phosphorus enters into a water system it causes an increased growth of algal. It usually takes over causing many plants to die. The dead matter becomes food for bacteria that decomposes it. Because of more food for the bacteria, the bacteria multiply and use up the dissolved oxygen in the water. This results in many fish and aquatic insects dying because they cannot survive. This results in a dead area.
What consequences can result from algae and bacteria growing too quickly?
A. The fish can grow larger. B. Animals may reproduce at a faster rate. C. New toxins are released into the water. D. Nutrients are taken away from fish and animals.
How does algal blooms effect the environment?
Algal blooms can have negative effects on the environment by depleting oxygen in the water, which can harm aquatic organisms like fish. They can also release toxins that can contaminate water and harm both aquatic life and human health. Additionally, as the algae die and decompose, they can contribute to an increase in nutrient levels in the water, leading to further ecological imbalances.
How does algal bloom leave to eutropication?
Algal blooms can lead to eutrophication when excessive nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, from sources like sewage discharge or fertilizer runoff promote rapid algal growth. As the algae die and decompose, oxygen in the water is consumed, leading to hypoxic conditions that harm aquatic life. Additionally, the accumulation of algal biomass can block sunlight, further depleting oxygen levels and disrupting the balance of the aquatic ecosystem.
What happens when nitrogen enters the water?
When nitrogen enters the water, it can lead to water pollution and potentially cause harmful algal blooms. These blooms can deplete oxygen levels in the water, which can harm aquatic organisms and disrupt the balance of the ecosystem. Nitrogen can also contribute to eutrophication, where excess nutrients lead to the overgrowth of algae and other aquatic plants, further impacting water quality.
Why does algal ever burst?
Algal blooms can burst due to a variety of factors such as nutrient availability, temperature changes, and changes in water flow. When conditions become unfavorable for algal growth, such as depleted nutrients or changes in temperature, the algal cells may die off rapidly causing a bloom burst. This can lead to a rapid decrease in oxygen levels in the water, which can harm aquatic ecosystems.
How does the use of fertiliser damage the environment?
In Australia the use of nitrogenous fertilizers in the Murray-Darling basin has been a cause of some dramatic algal blooms in the slow flowing Darling river. These massive over populations of algae feed on the "second hand" fertilizer and rob the water of oxygen. All water dwelling creatures in the bloom "zones" are affected to the extent that entire fish populations die.
What role have nitrates and phosphates played in damaging muddy creek?
Nitrates and phosphates are known as nutrients that can cause eutrophication in water bodies like Muddy Creek. Excessive levels of these nutrients can lead to algal blooms which deplete oxygen when they die, leading to fish kills and harming other aquatic life. These nutrients can also contribute to poor water quality and impact the overall health of the ecosystem in Muddy Creek.
