verb
- to cause (a body of water) to become overly rich in nutrients, leading to excessive algae growth and oxygen depletion
Usage: transitive verb; environmental science term; often used in passive voice
Examples
- Agricultural runoff has eutrophicated many lakes and rivers in the region.
- Fertilizer from farms can eutrophicate nearby water bodies.
- The lake became eutrophicated due to excess phosphorus from sewage discharge.
- Eutrophicated waters often develop thick algae blooms that block sunlight.
- Pollution from urban areas has eutrophicated the estuary over the past decade.