Eutrophication occurs when increased nitrates cause algal blooms that block light, killing submerged plants; increased decomposition by bacteria then consumes oxygen, harming aquatic animals.
- increase in nitrate ion concentration - increased growth of algae - algal bloom blocks light - submerged plants cannot photosynthesise so they die - more saprobiotic bacteria carry out more decomposition - use up oxyen in respiration - less oxygen available for animals to respire, causing them to die
| Front | What happens in eutrophication? |
|---|---|
| Back | - increase in nitrate ion concentration - increased growth of algae - algal bloom blocks light - submerged plants cannot photosynthesise so they die - more saprobiotic bacteria carry out more decomposition - use up oxyen in respiration - less oxygen available for animals to respire, causing them to die |
Tags: nutrient_cycles
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