Eutrophication is the process by which water bodies, such as lakes and rivers, become enriched with nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus. This nutrient overload often leads to excessive growth of algae, known as algal blooms, which can deplete oxygen in the water and harm aquatic life. As the algae die and decompose, the resulting oxygen depletion can create "dead zones," where most marine life cannot survive. Eutrophication can be caused by agricultural runoff, wastewater discharge, and other human activities.