THE eutrophication or eutrophication is a natural process resulting from the excessive accumulation of organic matter from sewage and the development of algae.
In short, it consists of the accumulation of organic matter in aquatic environments, especially where the water is little moved, such as in rivers, lakes and dams. Such situation results in bad odor and cloudy appearance to the water.
Eutrophication can have natural or anthropogenic origin:
- natural eutrophication: Produced by the elements of nature, occurring spontaneously and slowly.
- Anthropogenic or artificial eutrophication: When it is man-made and its main cause is water pollution, lack of sanitation, accumulation of household waste, dumping of effluents into water and use of fertilizers that contaminate the water table water table. It happens quickly.
How does it happen?
Organic matter is naturally decomposed, its excess, however, alters this process causing the seaweed develop and increase the number of decomposers, such as bacteria aerobics.
This process occurs as a result of human and animal waste and soil fertilizers, which reach the waters increasing the amount of available nutrients and causing algae to proliferate, which when they die make the water cloudy.
What are the consequences?
The layers that build up over the water prevent the photosynthesis and its oxygenation. At the same time, the decomposers and algae proliferate, also increasing oxygen consumption, which is called BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand).
The amount of oxygen consumed by algae, as well as by decomposers, is not enough to satisfy the fish, which eventually die.
On the other hand, the number of beings that do not need oxygen increases, as is the case of anaerobic bacteria, which contaminate and cause diseases.
With the lack of oxygen in the water, the aquatic ecosystem it becomes inhabited by anaerobic bacteria, as they do not need oxygen. The water is thus contaminated and its use and consumption cause illness.
What are the solutions?
The solution for eutrophication involves combating pollution, investing in waste collection and treatment.
For this, water treatment is essential, as it avoids the supply of organic matter to aquatic environments.
