IB ESS HL 4.4.7 Eutrophication and Ecosystem Services Question Bank
Evaluate effects of eutrophication on ecosystem services.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS HL
- Level
- HL
Evaluate effects of eutrophication on ecosystem services.

Figure Diagram showing the expanse of the Mississippi River basin draining into the Gulf of Mexico

Figure Pie charts showing sources of nutrients delivered to the Gulf of Mexico from the Mississippi River
Explain how nutrient pollution could impact aquatic food production in the Gulf of Mexico.
a. Excess nutrients can lead to algae blooms/eutrophication...;
b. ...blocking sunlight that results in aquatic plant death/reduced primary productivity;
c. reducing oxygen source in water;
d. Aquatic organisms/fish die/reduced secondary productivity from lack of oxygen;
e. Decomposition triggers positive feedback loop of death and decomposition, reducing oxygen further;
f. Dead zones which kill fish/aquatic organisms negatively affecting food production/capture fisheries;
g. Toxins from certain types of alga form, impacting shellfish harvests due to (paralytic) shellfish poisoning;
Note to examiners: Max 3 for only describing eutrophication feedback loop without linking to food production.
No credit for biomagnification/bioaccumulation up the food chain