Eutrophication facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Eutrophication is what a water-based ecosystem does when abnormal amounts of nutrients are added to it. Eutrophication mainly caused because of the two nutrients, phosphorus and nitrogen. These nutrients are normally brought to aquatic ecosystems because of the runoff from fertilized agricultural areas, erosion from river banks, river beds, clearing of land (deforestation), or sewage that ends up in aquatic environments. The major consequence of eutrophication are Algal blooms.

Images for kids

  • Potomac green water

    The eutrophication of the Potomac River is evident from the bright green water, caused by a dense bloom of cyanobacteria.

  • Orange like Autumn

    Eutrophication in a canal

  • Caspian Sea from orbit

    Eutrophication is apparent as increased turbidity in the northern part of the Caspian Sea, imaged from orbit.


All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Eutrophication Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.