What is eutrophication?
Eutrophication happens when water gets too much nitrogen and phosphorus, algae multiply too much, and the oxygen in the water runs out. Nitrogen and phosphorus are plant nutrients, so small amounts are useful, but too much is harmful.
- Excess fertilizer from farm fields runs into the river with rainwater.
- Nitrogen and phosphorus make algae multiply too much.
- When the algae die and decompose, bacteria use up the dissolved oxygen in the water.
- In water with little oxygen, fish cannot breathe, and they die.
Four pollutants and their solutions
| Pollutant | Harm | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Wastewater | Lowers the dissolved O2 in the river | Treatment plant |
| Trash heap | Liquid from the trash seeps into the soil and groundwater | Sorting bins |
| Too much fertilizer | The excess runs into the river and makes algae grow too much | Natural compost |
| Scattered litter | Plastic litter does not break down for many decades | Plant trees |
Trees absorb CO2 and release O2 through photosynthesis: 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2. Their roots protect the soil from erosion.
Restore nature in the Nalukh chem app
Remove each pollutant and place the matching solution. This simulator is included with full access. The app is free to download, and 2 units and 5 simulators are open with no sign-up.
How do you use the simulator?
- Tap one of the four pollutants in the scene. The pollutant disappears, and an empty slot appears in its place.
- Read the explanation line. It tells you the harm the pollutant causes and the next step.
- Grab the matching solution from the bottom tray and drag it to the slot. If it does not match, the slot shakes and does not take the solution.
- With each step, the Pollution meter falls and the step counter goes up. Plants and animals gradually return to the scene.
- Each pollutant takes two steps: remove it and place the solution. After 8 steps in total, the river turns blue and a rainbow appears.
Tasks to try in the simulator
- Note the step at which the flowers, butterflies, fish, and ducks appear. Answer: at steps 2, 4, 5, and 8.
- Tap Too much fertilizer and read the explanation. Then write the four stages of eutrophication in your own words.
- Try to place a solution before you remove a pollutant. What happens? Answer: No slot has appeared yet, so there is nowhere to place it.
- Drag the Natural compost card to the slot left by Wastewater, and explain why it does not fit.
