What term describes the over-enrichment of water bodies with nutrients, leading to excessive growth of aquatic plants and algae?

The term that accurately describes the over-enrichment of water bodies with nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, causing excessive growth of aquatic plants and algae, is eutrophication. This process often results in algal blooms, which can deplete oxygen levels in the water as the algae die and decompose, leading to hypoxic conditions harmful to aquatic life.

Eutrophication can occur naturally, but human activities, such as agricultural runoff or sewage discharge, significantly accelerate it. The phenomenon can thus lead to a range of environmental issues, including decreased biodiversity, fish kills, and disruptions in aquatic ecosystems. The understanding of this term is crucial for addressing the impacts of nutrient pollution and for strategies aimed at water body management and conservation.

In contrast, acidification refers to the decreasing pH levels in water bodies, oligotrophication describes a low-nutrient state which is the opposite of eutrophication, and pollution is a broader term that encompasses various forms of environmental contamination, not solely related to nutrient loading.