THE PROBLEM
In a young lake the water is normally cold and clear and it barely supports any life both plants and animals. But as time goes on smaller streams drain into the lake and introduces new nutrients. The nutrients form compounds that may contain nitrogen or phosphorus, that stimulate the growth of aquatic plant life. As the lake becomes more fertile, plant and animal life multiply. Eutrophication is the process by which a body of water becomes enriched in dissolved nutrients that stimulate the growth of aquatic plant life, usually resulting in the reduction of dissolved oxygen. Over time silt and organic debris pile up and the lake grows shallow and it gets warmer. Marsh plants begin to grow and fill up the lake, eventually the lake disappears into the land. Many factors contribute to the longevity of a lakes existence; things such as climate, size, and the natural aging process of the lake could allow it to have a life span of a thousand years. Man made pollutants contribute and can accelerate the process making lakes subject to disappearing sooner. Many lakes all over the world have been victims of eutrophication and nitrates and phosphates are the prime contaminants. Eutrophication, which is a form of water pollution, is caused by sewage runoff, agricultural and industrial wastes. The waste, which contains the nutrients over stimulate the growth of algae, which is why there is unattractive froth and distasteful stenches around lakes and marshes. Other pollutants that are run off into the lake aid in water pollution causing poisoning of entire populations of fish whose decomposing remains assist in the reduction of dissolved oxygen. It is as though the lake can actually choke itself.
THE SOLUTION
Since the mid-20th century eutrophication has been recognized as a pollution problem. Reducing eutrophication plans should be implemented as soon as possible, the plan should be an effective plan that can be continuous so that eutrophication can be...