Final answer:
Cultural eutrophication is the process of water body nutrient enrichment due to runoff, leading to algal overgrowth and oxygen depletion. Bioremediation utilizes organisms to eliminate pollution, as with plants cleaning soil of heavy metals. Practices like sustainable farming and biodiversity protection can help prevent such eutrophication.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cultural Eutrophication and Its Prevention
Cultural eutrophication is a form of water pollution caused by excessive fertilization of water bodies. This fertilization is often due to nonpoint source pollution, such as runoff from agricultural fields that contain high concentrations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). These nutrients lead to the rapid growth of algae and other aquatic producers, which can result in harmful algal blooms, oxygen depletion (hypoxia), and ultimately, the creation of dead zones where aquatic life cannot survive.
Bioremediation Defined
Bioremediation is a process that uses living organisms, typically plants, fungi, or microorganisms, to detoxify polluted environments. One example of bioremediation is using plants to remove toxic metals from soils following a mining operation. This method harnesses the natural processes of these organisms to break down or absorb contaminants in the water or soil.
Preventing the effects of cultural eutrophication involves reducing the input of pollutants into ecosystems. Sustainable farming practices are crucial, as they help maintain the biological integrity of soils and prevent excess nutrients from entering water bodies. Additionally, protecting biodiversity and implementing effective pollution control measures are essential to combat the impacts of cultural eutrophication and maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems.