Limnology: Accelerated Eutrophication in a Lake with Nitrogen and Phosphorous Limitations

Accelerated eutrophication of lakes is usually associated with excessive inflows of nutrients such as phosphates, nitrates and ammonium. The flow of nutrients into the lake can allow for rapid increase in algae. The alga is relatively short-lived, and the lake soon exhibits high concentration of dead organic matter which starts to decay. The decay process consumes dissolved oxygen in the lower layer of the lake. Without sufficient dissolved oxygen, animals and plants may then die off in large numbers.