GAC008 AE#4

Alya Iman Roslan

CILC/201314/0016

Topic: What is meant by eutrophication? Explain with reference to the severity of the problem in your own country.

Eutrophication mostly occurs in lakes or ponds that are exposed to fertilisers that have leaked into the water from the soils. As a result, the nutrients from the fertilisers cause an overgrowth in algae and other plant growth. The excessive amounts of plant growth results in the lack of oxygen in the water as it is depleted faster than the replenishment rate can occur. The excessive amounts of algae also prevent light from penetrating into the water and plants living in deeper waters do not get enough sunlight and are unable to carry out photosynthesis to produce enough oxygen. Marine animals often end up dying due to the low or lack of oxygen in the body of water (Muir, 2012). Eutrophication is a natural process and it occurs slowly over time to any body of water available. However, human actions such as sewage and agricultural discharges hasten the process of eutrophication (Muir, 2012) which as a result causes excessive amounts of damage to the ecosystem in the water. The process of eutrophication is simple; due to the human activities that pollute the water with nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, the algae grows in large amounts as a result of being too well nourished by the mentioned nutrients. It then covers the surface of the water which then causes plants living in the deep to die (due to the lack of sunlight) and when it decomposes, huge quantities of oxygen are used. As a consequence, other marine animals also die due to the low oxygen supply. (The Milwaukee Journal, 1990, Page 75). Furthermore, eutrophication brings along many negative effects. It is mentioned that algal bloom is an extreme response of eutrophication (Qin et al. 2006). It is clear that this process is usually accompanied by algal blooms which are hazardous to the aquatic life in the body of water affected. The excessive amounts of algae can affect the well-being of the animals because it creates an anoxic environment in the water and mortality rates for the marine life
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Alya Iman Roslan

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are inevitable in that situation. Consequently, the loss of aquatic creatures depletes fishing resources and this has an extremely adverse effect on a countrys economy (Dorgham, 2014). In bodies of water containing coral reefs, eutrophication is also a threat to the corals. Corals usually occur in waters with a low nutrient concentration and when there is an excess of nutrients (which contributes to eutrophication), the concentration of the nutrients in the water changes and the algae flourishes. When nutrient levels are low, the corals have no problem thriving under this condition as it is adapted to do so while the algae cannot outnumber them as they do not thrive under these circumstances. However, when nutrient levels increase significantly, the algae is able to outgrow the corals and eventually take up their space on the reef. This leads to the decrease in corals and also a loss of habitat for many aquatic creatures who live on and in coral reefs (Gast, 1998). In Malaysia, eutrophication is fast becoming an issue for lakes and ponds. In an article by the Malaysian Nature Society, it is said that Tasik Chini, which is the second largest freshwater lake, faces the threat of turning into a swamp due to excessive eutrophication. There has already been an incident in the country where a lake called Tasik Mentiga had become a swamp due to pollution of substances which consequently led to eutrophication. Eutrophication also has an unfortunate effect on Malaysias tourism economy. Plants that were once a sight to behold in lakes in Malaysia such as the lotus plant, have now disappeared, engulfed by algal blooms which are a result of eutrophication. The severity of the problem is not helped by the countrys rapid development. The building of dams has been said to damage the underwater ecosystem and in return, negatively impact job opportunities for fishermen who rely on the availability of aquatic animals to make a living (The Sun Daily, 2012). Another research also highlighted the severity of eutrophication in Malaysia stating that of the 90 lakes that have been studied, 56 (which is more than 60%) were labelled eutrophic while the remaining 38 were mesotrophic (meaning that the lake has moderate levels of nutrients and plant growth). Several factors have contributed to the eutrophication of these
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GAC008 AE#4

Alya Iman Roslan

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lakes such as logging, agricultural discharges and also community waste water from both urban and rural areas in Malaysia. The eutrophication in these lakes were stated to be largely due to elements like phosphorus and nitrogen as mentioned earlier in t his essay (Sharip, Zakaria 2008). Studies show once again that many lakes in Malaysia such as the Tasik Bera and Tasik Chini (mentioned earlier) are plagued with eutrophication again due to an excess of nutrients entering the lakes from human activities like waste water from communities living close by the lake, logging acts which cause landslides and soil erosion thus leading to fertilisers leaking into the lake and oil leaks for motorised boats (Sharip, Zakaria 2008). Several organisations have proposed plans to improve water conditions in Malaysia to prevent more lakes from facing rapid eutrophication such as raising awareness and more committees to monitor and conserve lakes (Sharip, Zakaria 2008). Eutrophic lakes can be treated to abolish or at least reduce the severity of the problem. Nutrients that are key in causing eutrophication that were mentioned in the earlier parts of the essay (nitrogen and phosphorus) which are present in fertilisers used in soils for plantations are to be used more reasonably or lessened. It is suggested in a study that these fertilisers should be utilised under several conditions that would prevent run off into bodies of water nearby. Weather conditions and The appropriate stage in crop growth are key factors to be taken into consideration when using fertilisers. If it is rainy and wet, run off is highly likely to happen. The latter factor is needed so that the nutrients are used by the plants immediately to once again, prevent any run off into lakes (Sandford, 2001). Another study suggests several methods to remediate lakes from eutrophication like reducing deforestation and controlling erosion rates (Svirev et al. 2008). In conclusion, eutrophication which was once considered natural and that it spans over a long period of time, is now used to describe an unnaturally rapid increase of unwanted plant growth in lakes and other bodies of water due to an excess of nutrients that impacts human beings and the marine ecosystem very negatively (Ryding, Rast, 1989).
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Alya Iman Roslan

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Alya Iman Roslan

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