How is Chemical Equilibrium Disrupted when Excess Nitrogen

is Introduced to Estuaries?
1. Weeks Bay NERRS Site. 2008. National Ocean Service, Alabama.
Www.oceanservice.noaa.org. Web. 13 May 2016.
Plants need macronutrients such as Nitrogen and Phosphorus to
grow and to maintain a healthy ecosystem and retain homeostasis
(equilibrium). Eutrophication is a process by which excess nitrogen is
introduced into an ecosystem, resulting in explosive growth of algae. As
algae dies, the ecosystem becomes hypoxic, even anoxic. While water in
an estuary becomes deoxygenated, animals and other organisms which
inhabit the area die off, creating dead zones.
2. Yang, Xiao-e, Xiang Wu, Hu-lin Hao, and Zhen-li He. "Mechanisms and Assessment
of Water Eutrophication." Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B. Zhejiang University
Press, 25 Mar. 2008. Web. 25 May 2016.
Eutrophication is represented by the equation below.

Thus, when looking at the above equation, we can deduce that

Nitrogen and Phosphorus are key control factors with regards to the
eutrophication process in that they are key control factors in the
propagation of algae. When extraneous Nitrogen and Phosphorus are
introduced into this equation, the production of algae explodes. The
excess algae is often environmentally devastating, as hypoxia (insufficient
oxygen) and anoxia (complete lack of oxygen) overtakes the estuary.
Hypoxia and anoxia result from this process because dying algae
consumes much of the available oxygen, but also because the sizable
masses of algae covering the surface of the water prevent sunlight from
reaching the depths of the body of water, which in turn prevents plants
which inhabit the bottom of the estuary from photosynthesizing, blocking
oxygen production within the estuary as well.
While Le Chateliers principle can not be applied to the
aforementioned equation with regards to the literal chemistry denotation,
the principle is applied in economics and additional sectors as a general
rule. Here (and elsewhere in science) an analogous (even synonymous)
principle is at play known as homeostasis. The introduction of excess N
and P therefore disrupts the homeostasis of the estuary, which then shifts
dramatically in response to the stresses.

3. Mallin, Michael A., and Lawrence B. Cahoon. "Industrialized Animal Production-A

Major Source of Nutrient and Microb." Ial Pollution to Aquatic Ecosystems. Population
and Environment, May 2003. Web. 25 May 2016.
As animal production has become increasingly industrialized the
amount of waste in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) has
increased dramatically. Animal waste contains high concentrations of
Nitrogen and Phosphorus. The waste is stored in lagoons near the
CAFOs, or used as fertilizer and sprayed on crops. The large amounts of
N and P which animal waste contains leeches into the environment
through runoff [and] percolation into groundwater.
"SeaWeb - Ocean Briefing Book." SeaWeb - Ocean Briefing Book. SeaWeb. Web. 26
May 2016.
Excess nutrients are carried by soil erosion and runoff to rivers and
tributaries where they feed into larger bodies of water. Nutrient pollution in
coastal marine environments results from three factors: human population
increase, an increase in chemical-based farming and an explosion of the
animal industry, and the ever-growing use of fossil fuels. Solutions include
less reliance on all of these industries as well as an increased drive to
sustainable farming and transportation as well as waste management
services and methods, or a decreased reliance on these.
"Harmful Algal Blooms." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency. Web. 26 May 2016.

My initial infographic: https://magic.piktochart.com/output/14115263-untitled-report?

presentation=true