What many years the levels of nutrients in a lake build up in the process of?

Answer 1

The levels of nutrients in a lake build up over many years through a process called eutrophication. This gradual accumulation can occur over decades to centuries, depending on factors like water flow, sedimentation rates, and human activities such as agricultural runoff. As nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, increase, they can lead to excessive algae growth, which negatively impacts water quality and aquatic life.