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Chapter 20: Problem 11

Distinguish between natural and cultural eutrophication.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Natural eutrophication is a slow, natural process where a water body becomes nutrient-rich, leading to increased plant growth. This process occurs over long periods, possibly thousands of years. On the other hand, cultural eutrophication, triggered by human activities like sewage disposal and use of detergents and fertilizers, happens significantly faster. The main difference is the time scale and causes of each type.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Natural Eutrophication

Eutrophication is a natural process that occurs in an ecosystem over a long period of time where the body of water becomes enriched with nutrients, especially phosphorus and nitrogen, which leads to excessive growth of plants and algae. Over time, the water body may become a marsh and eventually a terrestrial ecosystem. This process takes place over hundreds to thousands of years.
02

Understanding Cultural Eutrophication

While Natural eutrophication is a process happening over long periods of time, Cultural eutrophication is a process that speed up natural eutrophication because of human activity. This occurs when humans add excessive amounts of nutrients through things like sewage, detergents, and fertilizers into a water body. This process is much faster- can occur over a few decades.
03

Key Differences

The two types of eutrophication primarily differ in the time period over which they occur and their causes. Natural eutrophication is a slow process that nature initiates and controls, while cultural eutrophication is a man-made phenomenon, occurring much faster than natural eutrophication.

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