The degradation of water or land quality due to enrichment by nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, resulting in excessive plant growth and decay, principally of algae. Eutrophication of a lake normally contributes to its slow evolution into a bog or marsh and ultimately into dry land. Eutrophication may be accelerated by human activities that speed up the ageing process.
References
- UNEP, 2025
GEO-1-6
The degradation of water or land quality due to enrichment by nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorous, which results in excessive plant (principally algae) growth and decay. Eutrophication of a lake normally contributes to its slow evolution into a bog or marsh and ultimately to dry land. Eutrophication may be accelerated by human activities that speed up the ageing process.