Eutrophication

Contents

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.

References

AQA

Eutrophication, page 221, GCSE Chemistry; Student Book, Collins, AQA

Eutrophication, page 289, GCSE Biology; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA

Eutrophication, page 352-3, GCSE Biology; Student Book, Collins, AQA

Edexcel

Eutrophication, page 135, GCSE Combined Science, Pearson Edexcel

Eutrophication, page 293, GCSE Biology, CGP, Edexcel

Eutrophication, page 69, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, Edexcel

Eutrophication, page 99, GCSE Biology; The Revision Guide, CGP, Edexcel

Eutrophication, pages 187, 191, GCSE Biology, Pearson, Edexcel