What term describes the enrichment of nutrients in a natural water system like a lake or river?

Eutrophication refers to the process by which water bodies like lakes and rivers become enriched with nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus. This often occurs due to runoff from agricultural land, septic systems, and wastewater discharges into these bodies of water. The nutrient enrichment stimulates excessive algal blooms, which can lead to a variety of ecological issues, including reduced oxygen levels and harm to aquatic life when the algae decompose.

Understanding eutrophication is crucial because it highlights the impact of human activities on aquatic ecosystems and underlines the importance of nutrient management to maintain water quality. The term is distinct from other concepts like pollution, which is more general and encompasses various harmful substances, or oxygenation, which refers to the process of adding oxygen to the water, and acidification, which points to the decrease in pH levels, often due to increased carbon dioxide levels. Each of these terms involves different environmental processes and impacts, but eutrophication specifically focuses on nutrient enrichment and its consequences.