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Which of the following contribute in the eutrophication?
Excessive use of fertilisers
  • Untreated sewage
  • Detergents containing phosphorous
  • Discharge of industrial waste
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    • a)
      2, 3 and 4 only
    • b)
      1, 2 and 4 only
    • c)
      1 and 3 only
    • d)
      1, 2, 3 and 4
    Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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    Most Upvoted Answer
    Which of the following contribute in the eutrophication? Excessive ...
    Eutrophication refers to the excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants in a water body, leading to a decrease in oxygen levels and the death of aquatic organisms. It is primarily caused by an excess of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, in the water. Several factors contribute to eutrophication, including excessive use of fertilisers, untreated sewage, detergents containing phosphorous, and the discharge of industrial waste.

    Excessive use of fertilisers:
    - Fertilisers are commonly used in agriculture to increase crop yields. However, when these fertilisers are applied in excess or are not properly managed, they can be washed away by rainwater and enter nearby water bodies.
    - Fertilisers contain high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which are essential nutrients for plant growth. When these nutrients enter water bodies, they stimulate the growth of algae and other aquatic plants, leading to eutrophication.

    Untreated sewage:
    - Sewage contains high levels of organic matter, including nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. When sewage is discharged into water bodies without proper treatment, these nutrients can promote the growth of algae and aquatic plants.
    - Additionally, the decay of organic matter in sewage consumes oxygen, leading to a decrease in oxygen levels in the water. This can further exacerbate the effects of eutrophication.

    Detergents containing phosphorus:
    - Some detergents contain phosphorus compounds, which are used as surfactants and water softeners. When these detergents are used in households or industries and are subsequently discharged into water bodies, they introduce phosphorus into the aquatic environment.
    - Phosphorus is a major nutrient for algae and aquatic plants, and its presence can contribute to eutrophication.

    Discharge of industrial waste:
    - Industrial waste often contains various pollutants, including heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients. When industrial waste is discharged into water bodies without proper treatment, it can introduce a range of pollutants, including nitrogen and phosphorus.
    - These nutrients can act as fertilisers, promoting the growth of algae and aquatic plants and contributing to eutrophication.

    Overall, the excessive use of fertilisers, untreated sewage, detergents containing phosphorus, and the discharge of industrial waste all contribute to eutrophication by introducing excessive nutrients into water bodies. These nutrients fuel the growth of algae and aquatic plants, leading to a decrease in oxygen levels and the degradation of water quality.
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    Which of the following contribute in the eutrophication? Excessive ...
    • Eutrophication is an enrichment of water by nutrient salts that causes structural changes to the ecosystem such as: increased production of algae and aquatic plants, depletion of fish species, general deterioration of water quality and other effects that reduce and preclude use.
    • It is caused by human activities because they are responsible for the addition of 80% nitrogen and 75% phosphorous in lake and stream.
    • Some phosphorus-rich sources that enrich water bodies with the nutrient include:
      • Fertilizers
      • Untreated sewage
      • Detergents containing phosphorus
      • Industrial discharge of waste.
    • Among these sources, the primary contributors to eutrophication include agriculture and industrial wastes.
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    Passage -1The law in many parts of the world increasingly restricts the discharge of agricultural slurry into watercourses. The simplest and often the most economically sound practice returns the material to the land as semisolid manure or as sprayed slurry. This dilutes its concentration in the environment to what might have occurred III a more primitive and sustainable type of agriculture and converts pollutant into fertilizer. Soil microorganisms decompose the organic components of sewage and slurry and most of the mineral nutrients become available to be absorbed again by the vegetation.The excess input of nutrients, both nitrogen and phosphorus - based, from agricultural runoff (and human sewag e) has caused many healthy oligotrophic lakes (low nutrient concentrations, low plant productivity with abundant water weeds, and clear water) to change to eutrophic condition where high nutrient inputs lead to high phytoplankton productivity (sometimes dominated by bloomforming toxic species). This makes the water turbid, eliminates large plants and, in the worst situations, leads to anoxia and fish kills; so called cultural eutrophication. Thus, important ecosystem services are lost, including the provisioning service of wild-caught fish and the cultural services associated with recreation.The process of cultural eutrophication of lakes has been understood for some time. But only recently did scientists notice huge dead zones in the oceans near river outlets, particularly those draining large catchment areas such as the Mississippi in North America and the Yangtze in China. The nutrient-enriched water flows through streams, rivers and lakes, and eventually to the estuary and ocean where the ecological impact may be huge, killing virtually all invertebrates and fish in areas up to 70,000 km2 in extent. More than 150 sea areas worldwide are now regularly starved of oxygen as a result of decomposition of algal blooms, fuelled particularly by nitrogen from agricultural runoff of fertilizers and sewage from large cities. Oceanic dead zones are typically associated withindustrialized nations and usually lie off- countries that subsidize their agriculture, encouraging farmers to increase productivity and use more fertilizer.Q.According to the passage, what are the effects of indiscriminate use of fertilizers?1. Addition of pollutants to the soil and water.2. Destruction decomposer of microorganisms in soil.3. Nutrient enrichment of water bodies.4. Creation of algal blooms.

    Directions for the following 7 (seven) items: Read the following two passages and answer the items that follow each passage. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.Passage -1The law in many parts of the world increasingly restricts the discharge of agricultural slurry into watercourses. The simplest and often the most economically sound practice returns the material to the land as semisolid manure or as sprayed slurry. This dilutes its concentration in the environment to what might have occurred III a more primitive and sustainable type of agriculture and converts pollutant into fertilizer. Soil microorganisms decompose the organic components of sewage and slurry and most of the mineral nutrients become available to be absorbed again by the vegetation.The excess input of nutrients, both nitrogen and phosphorus - based, from agricultural runoff (and human sewag e) has caused many healthy oligotrophic lakes (low nutrient concentrations, low plant productivity with abundant water weeds, and clear water) to change to eutrophic condition where high nutrient inputs lead to high phytoplankton productivity (sometimes dominated by bloomforming toxic species). This makes the water turbid, eliminates large plants and, in the worst situations, leads to anoxia and fish kills; so called cultural eutrophication. Thus, important ecosystem services are lost, including the provisioning service of wild-caught fish and the cultural services associated with recreation.The process of cultural eutrophication of lakes has been understood for some time. But only recently did scientists notice huge dead zones in the oceans near river outlets, particularly those draining large catchment areas such as the Mississippi in North America and the Yangtze in China. The nutrient-enriched water flows through streams, rivers and lakes, and eventually to the estuary and ocean where the ecological impact may be huge, killing virtually all invertebrates and fish in areas up to 70,000 km2 in extent. More than 150 sea areas worldwide are now regularly starved of oxygen as a result of decomposition of algal blooms, fuelled particularly by nitrogen from agricultural runoff of fertilizers and sewage from large cities. Oceanic dead zones are typically associated withindustrialized nations and usually lie off- countries that subsidize their agriculture, encouraging farmers to increase productivity and use more fertilizer.Q.According to the passage, why should the discharge of agricultural slurry into watercourses be restricted?1. Losing nutrients in this way is not a good practice economically.2. Watercourses do not contain the microorganisms that can decompose organic components of agricultural slurry.3. The discharge may lead to the eutrophication of water bodies.

    Passage -1The law in many parts of the world increasingly restricts the discharge of agricultural slurry into watercourses. The simplest and often the most economically sound practice returns the material to the land as semisolid manure or as sprayed slurry. This dilutes its concentration in the environment to what might have occurred III a more primitive and sustainable type of agriculture and converts pollutant into fertilizer. Soil microorganisms decompose the organic components of sewage and slurry and most of the mineral nutrients become available to be absorbed again by the vegetation.The excess input of nutrients, both nitrogen and phosphorus - based, from agricultural runoff (and human sewag e) has caused many healthy oligotrophic lakes (low nutrient concentrations, low plant productivity with abundant water weeds, and clear water) to change to eutrophic condition where high nutrient inputs lead to high phytoplankton productivity (sometimes dominated by bloomforming toxic species). This makes the water turbid, eliminates large plants and, in the worst situations, leads to anoxia and fish kills; so called cultural eutrophication. Thus, important ecosystem services are lost, including the provisioning service of wild-caught fish and the cultural services associated with recreation.The process of cultural eutrophication of lakes has been understood for some time. But only recently did scientists notice huge dead zones in the oceans near river outlets, particularly those draining large catchment areas such as the Mississippi in North America and the Yangtze in China. The nutrient-enriched water flows through streams, rivers and lakes, and eventually to the estuary and ocean where the ecological impact may be huge, killing virtually all invertebrates and fish in areas up to 70,000 km2 in extent. More than 150 sea areas worldwide are now regularly starved of oxygen as a result of decomposition of algal blooms, fuelled particularly by nitrogen from agricultural runoff of fertilizers and sewage from large cities. Oceanic dead zones are typically associated withindustrialized nations and usually lie off- countries that subsidize their agriculture, encouraging farmers to increase productivity and use more fertilizer.Q.What is/are the characteristics of a water body with cultural eutrophication?1. Loss of ecosystem services2. Loss of flora and fauna3. Loss of mineral nutrients

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    Which of the following contribute in the eutrophication? Excessive use of fertilisers Untreated sewage Detergents containing phosphorous Discharge of industrial waste Select the correct answer using the code given below.a)2, 3 and 4 onlyb)1, 2 and 4 onlyc)1 and 3 onlyd)1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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    Which of the following contribute in the eutrophication? Excessive use of fertilisers Untreated sewage Detergents containing phosphorous Discharge of industrial waste Select the correct answer using the code given below.a)2, 3 and 4 onlyb)1, 2 and 4 onlyc)1 and 3 onlyd)1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Which of the following contribute in the eutrophication? Excessive use of fertilisers Untreated sewage Detergents containing phosphorous Discharge of industrial waste Select the correct answer using the code given below.a)2, 3 and 4 onlyb)1, 2 and 4 onlyc)1 and 3 onlyd)1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Which of the following contribute in the eutrophication? Excessive use of fertilisers Untreated sewage Detergents containing phosphorous Discharge of industrial waste Select the correct answer using the code given below.a)2, 3 and 4 onlyb)1, 2 and 4 onlyc)1 and 3 onlyd)1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
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