Rehevöitymisriskejä

Rehevöitymisriskejä refers to the risks associated with eutrophication, a process where excessive nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, are introduced into aquatic ecosystems. These nutrients can originate from various sources, including agricultural runoff containing fertilizers and animal waste, industrial wastewater discharge, and sewage from urban areas. When these nutrients enter lakes, rivers, and coastal waters, they stimulate rapid growth of algae and aquatic plants, a phenomenon known as an algal bloom.

The consequences of eutrophication can be severe. Dense algal blooms block sunlight from reaching submerged vegetation, hindering its growth and impacting the entire food web. As the algae die and decompose, bacteria consume large amounts of dissolved oxygen in the water, leading to hypoxic or anoxic conditions. This oxygen depletion can cause fish kills and harm other aquatic organisms that cannot survive in low-oxygen environments. Furthermore, some algal blooms produce toxins that can be harmful to wildlife and humans. The aesthetic quality of water bodies can also be diminished, affecting recreational activities and tourism. Managing sources of nutrient pollution is crucial to mitigating these eutrophication risks and maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems.