Eutrophication is essentially a natural process. It is a stage in the life cycle of a waterbody which happens over a period of years. When an environment is enriched with nutrients, it increases plant and algae growth, setting off a chain of events. The excess algae and plants matter kill fish, seagrass and reduce essential fish habitats. Eventually, the decomposing excess algae and plant matter produce large amounts of carbon dioxide, lowering the pH of the waterbody.
Wetland resulting from natural eutrophication
Naturally, eutrophication is a process that results in wetlands. However, with rapid industrialisation, increasing populations pressure and excessive use of fertilizers, the process has accelerated. Waterbodies have becomes toxic with high levels of Phosphorus & Nitrogen
What are the effects of Eutrophication?
Harmful algal blooms, dead zones, and fish kills are common results of an environment that becomes enriched with excess nutrients. Some more prominent effects are:
- Discolouration and reduced visibility underwater. Preventing photosynthesis
- Oxygen levels not stable to sustain ecosystems
- Causes dense algal blooms, clogs gills, poisons water and increases concentration of nutrients in the water.
- Water has disagreeable taste and odour
- Decreases biodiversity
- The waterbody becomes too toxic to permit any social activity
Phosphorus and Nitrogen are essential for plant growth and food production. While they are a natural part of the ecosystem, human intervention has quadrupled the production of these two nutrients.
“Fertilizers, Detergents, Untreated Sewage, Industrial Discharge.” These are all elements that are commonly discharged into waterbodies. Responsible for 50% of the nutrient overload, they have made waterbodies unsuitable for any form of ecosystem or consumption.
Over the years, with growing water scarcity in India, NGT and CPCB have posed strict regulations with regard to P & N control in wastewater discharge. Primary waterbodies of the country have been tested and found to have high toxicity levels.
Harmful Algal blooms due to eutrophication
Approximately 15% of the Indian population contribute phosphorous containing wastewater effluents to rivers and lakes. Industrial agriculture, with its reliance on phosphate-rich fertilizers, is the primary source of excess phosphorus. Fertilizers, faulty septic systems, and erosions into the lake are some of the others responsible for degrading the ecosystem.
The health of our waterbodies and their biological diversity is directly related to the health of almost every other element of the ecosystem.
However, the giant infrastructure of centralised wastewater treatment in our country is far less than satisfactory in maintaining these regulations. In a time where water should be treated as a precious commodity and saved, depending on a centralised treatment plan is not especially ideal. The collapse of one plant effects too much of an already depleting resource.
Wastewater treatment is essential. Efficient treatment is a must. Choose a treatment plant that meets the standards for safe disposal and a safe ecosystem.
