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Intermediate · 3 min

More nutrients can create problems

Nitrogen and phosphorus support growth, but excessive inputs can change aquatic ecosystems. Extra nutrients may stimulate rapid algal growth. When organic material decomposes, microbial activity can consume dissolved oxygen and leave less for other organisms. The outcome depends on conditions, so a nutrient input is not proof of an identical response in every lake.

Practice

How can excess nutrients contribute to low dissolved oxygen?