Acids and bases in natural water; alkalinity, pH and buffer capacity - Eutrophication

3 important questions on Acids and bases in natural water; alkalinity, pH and buffer capacity - Eutrophication

By which nutrient loads is eutrophication caused by and what are the major contributing sources?

Eutrophication is caused by excess loads of mainly nitrogen and phosphorus from point and diffuse sources. Most contributing sources are point loads from urban areas and industries, and diffuse emissions from agricultural activity, related to excess fertilizer application.

What is the characterization of a well balanced system?

A stationary state between photosynthesis and respiration (figure 1a).

-vertical segregation of
photosynthetic and respiratory functions

-in surface waters nutrients become exhausted by photosynthesis

-the decomposition (respiration) of organism-produced particles (detritus) after settling leads to enrichment in the deeper water layers with nutrients and a depletion of dissolved oxygen (figure 1b).

What destabilizes the balance between photosynthesis and respiration?

An increase in C, N, P concentrations due to external inputs will destabilize the balance between photosynthesis and respiration. This leads to an increase of primary production.

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