Eutrophication

Literally: over-fertilization. Used to describe the damage to water resources as a consequence of the over-nourishment of aquatic plants. The growth of the aquatic plants will be accelerated if large quantities of nutrients find their way into a standing slow-flowing waterway, for example from households (Phosphates from Detergents and Cleaning Agents, excrement), or via agriculture (Fertilizer).

The increase in the quantity of dead plants and plant parts which can be observed in conjunction with this leads to Decomposition processes associated with high oxygen consumption, followed by a rotting stage resulting in putrefaction and the formation of toxic substances such as ammonia and Hydrogen Sulphide. Fish eggs are no longer able to develop because of a lack of oxygen, this result in a lack of fish, and my even cause the fish to die.