The role of phosphorus in eutrophication

Abstract

Eutrophication is an increase in the biological productivity of water basins resulting from the accumulation of biogenic elements under the influence of anthropogenic factors. Natural eutrophication is a slow and inevitable process. Artifical eutrophica-tion is caused by human activity and it can be very rapid, especially in technologically developed countries. Eutrophication does not represent a mere change of water but a change in the metabolism of the entire ecosystem and hence a change of the ecosystem itself. In Serbia and Montenegro, all factors are present that promote eutrophication in both still (especially in lowland areas) and running waters. This paper deals with the results of eutrophication monitoring and prognostication for the DTD canal network and major rivers and lakes in Serbia, including a special review of the trophic status of lakes in the country's main lowland region, the Vojvodina Province. As phosphorus concentration is an important factor in the process of eutrophication of a body of water, the study has devoted particular attention to the control of this element.