Nitrogen and phosphorus loading in surface water bodies contribute to an eutrophic environment. Under eutrophication a body of water becomes enriched in nutrients that stimulate the growth of aquatic plants (e.g., algae), which in turn lead to the depletion of dissolved oxygen in the water. Nitrate pollution of groundwater has the potential to be the most serious problem because of its impacts on drinking water quality.
This is reference sheet 9.7 in the Farm Water Quality Planning series.
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