Lake Nutrients, Eutrophication, and Climate Change

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Global Environmental Change

Part of the book series: Handbook of Global Environmental Pollution ((EGEP,volume 1))

Abstract

Research suggests the problems of nutrient over-enrichment (eutrophication) and climatic warming are coalescing in lakes globally. This oftentimes leads to cyanobacteria dominance of lake algal communities, which is problematic because cyanobacteria can produce toxins, degrade beneficial and aesthetic properties of lake water, and impede fisheries production. Cyanobacteria are prevalent when lakes have high nutrients (especially phosphorus) and high water temperatures. Currently, industrialized animal production is a locally important source of excess nutrients. Various means have been employed to alleviate the negative consequences of eutrophication and cyanobacteria blooms, with controls on external nutrient inputs being the most effective. More aggressive nutrient control programs will be called for in the future just to hold pace with the steadily declining water quality in many lakes.

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Correspondence to John Jones .

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© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Jones, J., Brett, M.T. (2014). Lake Nutrients, Eutrophication, and Climate Change. In: Freedman, B. (eds) Global Environmental Change. Handbook of Global Environmental Pollution, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5784-4_109

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