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

2426 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Why the human heart is described as a "double pump" and what is the physiological significance of this?


If blood glucose level is high, how does it return back to normal?


How does the structure of the red blood cell allow it to carry out its functions?


Explain how enzymes work.


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