Question

Consider the aquatic phosphorus cycle. Phosphorus is the limiting nutrient for aquatic organisms. Decomposition naturally returns phosphorus to the aquatic cycle, but phosphates from fertilizers, sewage and detergents can cause pollution in lakes and streams. Over-enrichment of phosphate in freshwater can lead to __________ which, when they die and decay, leads to _____________.

Answer 1

The phenomenon that would happen when the freshwater has too much phosphate content would be an algae bloom. Furthermore, when these algae become decomposed, this will now lead to another phenomenon named eutrophication which is only applicable to fresh waters.