leaching and eutrophication Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is leaching?
Where large amounts of fertiliser is washed away into rivers and lakes
What does leaching cause?
Eutrophication
What is eutrophication?
A large increase of nutrients in an aquatic ecosystem
What is the first stage after leaching?
Increased concentration of nitrogen and phosphorous in water
What is the next stage after increased nitrogen and phosphorous?
Algae bloom on surface of the water
What is the next stage after algae bloom?
Prevents light reaching submerged aquatic plants
What is the next stage after light is prevented from reaching plants?
Both algae and plants die
What is the next stage after algae and plants die?
Increased decomposition by saprobionts
What is the next stage after increased decomposition?
Saprobionts use up all the oxygen
What is the next stage after saprobionts use up oxygen?
Lack of oxygen causes organisms to die
