eutrophication

eu·troph·ic  (y-trfk, -trfk)

adj.

Having waters rich in mineral and organic nutrients that promote a proliferation of plant life, especially algae, which reduces the dissolved oxygen content and often causes the extinction of other organisms. Used of a lake or pond.

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[From Greek eutrophos, well-nourished : eu-, eu- + trephein, to nourish.]

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eu·trophi·cation n.

eutro·phy (ytr-f) n.

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eutrophication  (y-trf-kshn)

The process by which a lake, pond, or stream becomes eutrophic, typically as a result of mineral and organic runoff from the surrounding land. The increased growth of plants and algae that accompanies eutrophication depletes the dissolved oxygen content of the water and often causes a die-off of other organisms.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

eutrophication - excessive nutrients in a lake or other body of water, usually caused by runoff of nutrients (animal waste, fertilizers, sewage) from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life; the decomposition of the plants depletes the supply of oxygen, leading to the death of animal life; "he argued that the controlling factor in eutrophication is not nitrate but phosphate" biological process, organic process - a process occurring in living organisms