Eutrophication

Key Stage 3

Meaning

Eutrophication is a process which kills animals in lakes and rivers due to pollution.

About Eutrophication

1. Fertilisers are washed from the soil into rivers and lakes by the rain.
2. The fertilisers cause algae to grow uncontrollably.
3. The algae cover entire surface of the water blocking out all sunlight to the plants below.
4. Most of the algae and the plants die due to lack of sunlight.
5. The water no longer holds as much dissolved Oxygen so the animals die.