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[gotmilk]

Phosphorus for Plant Growth versus Lake Eutrophication

(from prior post url)

Most phosphoric acid is used in the production of fertilizers.

Phosphorus is one of the elements essential for plant growth.

Organic phosphates are the compounds which provide the energy
for most of the chemical reactions that occur in living cells.

... enriching soils with phosphate fertilizers enhances plant growth.

Increasing the phosphate concentration in surface waters
also enhances the growth of aquatic plant life.

Run-off from fertilized farm lands stimulate plant growth in lakes
and streams. Waste water containing phosphates from detergents
have the same effect.

Lakes rich in plant nutrients suffer from accelerated eutrophication.

When the lush aquatic plant growth in a nutrient-rich lake dies,
the decomposition of the dead plant material consumes
dissolved oxygen. This consumption reduces the level
of dissolved oxygen to a point where it is insufficient
to support animal life...
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