Eutrophication is the process by which a body of water becomes overly enriched with nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, often as a result of agricultural runoff or sewage discharge. These excess nutrients cause a rapid increase in the growth of algae and other aquatic plants, leading to a cascade of negative environmental effects. One of the primary consequences of eutrophication is algal blooms. When algae grow excessively, they block sunlight from reaching other aquatic plants, disrupting the balance of the ecosystem. As the algae die and decompose, bacteria break them down, consuming large amounts of oxygen in the process. - @schience101