Eutrophication is driven by non-point source inputs of which nutrients?

Eutrophication is driven by non-point source inputs of which nutrients?

• A. Nitrogen
• B. Phosphorus
• C. Both Nitrogen and Phosphorus
• D. None

Answer: (C)

Eutrophication happens when a body of water receives more nutrients than it can handle, leading to rapid algal and aquatic plant growth that can deplete oxygen and harm life. Non-point source inputs are diffuse and come from many places across the landscape rather than a single outlet. Runoff from farms, gardens, and urban areas carries both nitrogen from fertilizers and manure and phosphorus bound to soil particles into streams and lakes. These nutrients fuel blooms, and because these diffuse sources supply both nutrients, the drivers of eutrophication in such systems are inputs of both nitrogen and phosphorus. In many freshwater systems phosphorus often limits growth, but nitrogen can also promote blooms depending on conditions, so recognizing that both nutrients can be involved is the best explanation.

Eutrophication happens when a body of water receives more nutrients than it can handle, leading to rapid algal and aquatic plant growth that can deplete oxygen and harm life. Non-point source inputs are diffuse and come from many places across the landscape rather than a single outlet. Runoff from farms, gardens, and urban areas carries both nitrogen from fertilizers and manure and phosphorus bound to soil particles into streams and lakes. These nutrients fuel blooms, and because these diffuse sources supply both nutrients, the drivers of eutrophication in such systems are inputs of both nitrogen and phosphorus. In many freshwater systems phosphorus often limits growth, but nitrogen can also promote blooms depending on conditions, so recognizing that both nutrients can be involved is the best explanation.