4.4.5—Eutrophication

A nutrient input triggers a bloom only when that nutrient was limiting producer growth under the stated conditions.

Nitrate and phosphate can enter from fertilizer, sewage and products. Eutrophication names enrichment and producer response; oxygen depletion is a later consequence of death and decomposition.

If phosphate is limiting in a lake, a phosphate pulse can increase algae; adding nitrate alone may not.

Limitation data plus source and timing, not nutrient presence alone.

More nutrient is not automatically more bloom; identify the limiting resource.