Eutrophication refers to
1. the concentration of a toxic substance in
the tissues of organisms.
2. depletion of mineral resources as a result
of leaching.
3. the warming of the earth’s surface.
4. the damage to the ozone layer that protects the earth from UV light.
5. nutrient enrichment of an ecosystem that
is naturally low in nutrients.
Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "Eutrophication" to get these possible sources:
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Eutrophication&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search. Also see http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/.
Eutrophication refers to option 5: nutrient enrichment of an ecosystem that is naturally low in nutrients.
To arrive at this answer, you can break down the term "eutrophication" and analyze the options.
The term "eutrophication" comes from the Greek words "eu" (meaning "good") and "trophe" (meaning "nourishment"). Therefore, it refers to the process by which a body of water or an ecosystem becomes enriched with nutrients, which can be beneficial under normal circumstances. However, when excessive amounts of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, enter an ecosystem, it can lead to an overgrowth of algae and other aquatic plants. This excessive growth disrupts the balance of the ecosystem, affecting water quality, oxygen levels, and the survival of aquatic organisms.
Now, let's analyze the options:
1. The concentration of a toxic substance in the tissues of organisms does not directly relate to eutrophication. While eutrophication can indirectly contribute to the accumulation of toxins, this option does not describe the process of eutrophication itself.
2. Depletion of mineral resources as a result of leaching is unrelated to eutrophication. Eutrophication primarily involves the enrichment of nutrients, not the depletion of minerals.
3. The warming of the earth's surface is a separate phenomenon known as global warming or climate change. It is not directly associated with eutrophication.
4. The damage to the ozone layer that protects the earth from UV light is caused by the release of ozone-depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), into the atmosphere. Eutrophication is not related to the ozone layer.
5. Nutrient enrichment of an ecosystem that is naturally low in nutrients accurately describes eutrophication. This option aligns with the definition of eutrophication as the process of nutrient oversupply, leading to the excessive growth of primary producers like algae and other aquatic plants.
Therefore, the correct answer is option 5: nutrient enrichment of an ecosystem that is naturally low in nutrients.