Cultural eutrophication

Cultural eutrophication is the process that speeds up natural eutrophication because of human activity. Due to clearing of land and building of towns and cities, runoff water is accelerated and more nutrients such as phosphates and nitrate are supplied to the lakes and ponds. Extra nutrients are also supplied by treatment plants, golf courses, fertilizers, and farms. These nutrients spur a growth in plant life called algal bloom. This not only changes the lake's natural food web, but also reduces the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. Both of these things cause animal and plant death rates to increase. This contaminates water, making it undrinkable, and sediment quickly fills the lake. Cultural eutrophication is a form of pollution.