Excess nitrogen and phosphorus entering water bodies is known as which type of pollution?

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus entering water bodies is known as which type of pollution?

• A. Nutrient pollution
• B. Pathogens
• C. Sediment pollution
• D. Eutrophication

Answer: (A)

Excess plant nutrients in water define nutrient pollution. This term describes the actual pollutants—nitrogen and phosphorus—that enter rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, often from fertilizer runoff, wastewater, and animal waste. Eutrophication, while closely related, is the ecological response to that nutrient overload: it’s the process of rapid algae growth, diminished light, and subsequent oxygen depletion that can hurt aquatic life. Pathogens refer to disease-causing organisms, and sediment pollution refers to excessive soil or sediment entering water. So the best label for the pollution itself is nutrient pollution, with eutrophication describing the downstream effects.

Excess plant nutrients in water define nutrient pollution. This term describes the actual pollutants—nitrogen and phosphorus—that enter rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, often from fertilizer runoff, wastewater, and animal waste. Eutrophication, while closely related, is the ecological response to that nutrient overload: it’s the process of rapid algae growth, diminished light, and subsequent oxygen depletion that can hurt aquatic life. Pathogens refer to disease-causing organisms, and sediment pollution refers to excessive soil or sediment entering water. So the best label for the pollution itself is nutrient pollution, with eutrophication describing the downstream effects.