Pollution and Nutrients
What is Phosphorous and Why Does It Affect Water Quality?
Phosphorous and nitrogen are the most important nutrients influencing algal biomass in water. Phosphorous stimulates the growth of aquatic plants and algae and that in turn feeds aquatic animals.
Remember: Algae in itself is not a bad thing. In fact it’s one of the most important links in the food chain for healthy lakes and aquatic life.
Only high levels of phosphorous are toxic to humans and animals.
Sources of phosphorous and nitrogen in water include:
- Drainage from Bogs
- Pet and Livestock Feces
- Leaching and Weathering of Rock
- Soil Erosion
- Human sewage
- Greywater run-off
- Some Cleaning Products
- Lawn/Garden/Agricultural Fertilizers
- Industrial Effluent
How Nutrients Affect the Aquatic System
Eutrophication is a natural process that can age a lake, which may be accelerated through nutrient enrichment from human activity (sewage, animal waste, fertilizers). Eutrophic lakes are subject to algal blooms and bottom waters deficient of oxygen. They also commonly lack fish species like trout which require cold, well-oxygenated waters.
When eutrophication is accelerated, the following equations are the outcome:
Sunlight + too many nutrients = excessive growth of aquatic plants and algae and large fluctuations in dissolved oxygen concentrations (oxygen is produced by plants and animals by day as photosynthesis and reduced at night as plants breathe).
Excessive growth of aquatic plants and algae = large amounts of organic material settling to the bottom of a body of water (the decomposition of this organic material depletes oxygen in the water.)
Depletion of oxygen in the water = stress and sometimes death of fish and other animals + the release of additional phosphorous from bottom sediments (which makes the problem worse by stimulating plant growth).
What is Being Done to Decrease Excessive Nutrient Loading?
Lake of the Woods District Property Owners’ Association is a partner with several international groups including the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. Part of their combined goal is to research, share information and monitor the Lake of the Woods watershed.
In addition, the Lake of the Woods District Property Owners’ Association has many members who are active participants in the Lake Partner Program through the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. For more information contact: Ontario Lake Partner Program.
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