What is eutrophication and how could it negatively impact plant life in rivers?

Eutrophication is the process whereby excess fertiliser is added to fields by farmers. This fertiliser contaisn nitrates which are very sioluble and so easily runs off into rivers and lakes. Plants use nitrates to sythesise proteins and therefore excess nitrates cause plants to grow very quickly. Algal blooms often are a result, algae covers the water with a layer of algae and prevents any light from reaching the plants living on the river/lake bed. This means that the plants cannot photosythesise, due to lack of light so they die.

RH
Answered by Rose H. Biology tutor

2535 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is the process by which vaccines protect individuals against infectious diseases?


Describe the basic structure of a DNA and complementary base pairing.


How does the environment influence the growth of roots and shoots of plants?


Describe how different environmental factors affect the direction of growth of roots and shoots.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning