Man-Induced Eutrophication of Lakes

Abstract

Many lakes the world over are becoming less desirable places on which to live because of nutrient wastes pouring into them from a man-changed environment. Man’s activities, which introduce excess nutrients to lakes, streams, and estuaries are rapidly accelerating the process of cultural eutrophication. Excessive enrichment, brought about by population and industrial growth, intensified agriculture, river-basin development, recreational use of public waters, and domestic and industrial exploitation of shore properties, accelerates the deterioration of waters. The process causes changes in plant and animal life which usually interfere with multiple uses of waters, reduce their aesthetic qualities and economic value, and threaten the destruction of precious water resources. Overwhelming excessive scums of blue-green algae and aquatic plants chokes the open water, makes the water turbid and nonpotable. They die, rot and repel human residents with repugnant odors. Organic matter from this crop sinks and consumes the deep-water oxygen vital for fish and other animal life.