Eutrophication potential
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Eutrophication (from Greek ‘eutrophos’ meaning ‘well nourished’ and pronounced ‘you-tro-fi-kay-shun’) is the process by which aquatic environments (rivers, lakes, coastal estuaries and shallow sea areas) become excessively enriched by minerals and nutrients which induce excessive growth of plants and animal life. This enrichment will be harmful if it leads to the death of plant and animal life and can occur in two ways:
- Cultural eutrophication.
- Natural eutrophication.
[edit] Natural eutrophication
Natural eutrophication is part of the ageing process of freshwater ecosystems and is a common phenomenon, particularly in lakes. Scientists recognise that a lake’s natural productivity may be regulated by factors such as climate change, geology and other external factors.
The fertility of such freshwater bodies changes over time if they are fed rich nutrients by a stream or river, leading to abundant plant or animal life; the lake or pond is then classed as ‘eutrophic’. However, if excessive it could adversely affect aquatic life. Although the process is extremely slow and occurs over millennia, it can be speeded up by cultural eutrophication.
[edit] Cultural eutrophication
Cultural eutrophication occurs primarily as a result of human activity (industrial, domestic and agricultural) when nutrients, such as fertilizer chemicals (nitrates and phosphates), detergents and nutrients from municipal sewage, are conveyed into a water body by rainwater run-off. This causes higher rates of algal and bacterial growth. As the algal bloom decomposes and dies, it consumes oxygen which reduces concentration in the water and may lead to the extinction of fish and other life. Once it sinks to the bottom, bacteria begin to decompose the algal remains, using oxygen in the process. Eventually, as levels of nutrients rise to an unacceptable level, the water body can sustain no life, fish suffocate and plants die.
Eutrophication is often characterised by the bright green algal bloom floating on the surface. If this is in sufficient quantities, it may block sunlight from penetrating to the bottom of the water body, thereby depriving plants of the ability to photosynthesise.
NB Water for life and livelihoods, River basin management plans, Glossary, Published by the Environment Agency in 2016, defines eutrophication as: ‘The enrichment of waters by nutrients, especially compounds of nitrogen and/or phosphorus, causing an accelerated growth of algae and higher forms of plant life, producing an undesirable disturbance to the balance of organisms present in the water and the quality of the water concerned.’
[edit] Eutrophication potential (EP)
Eutrophication potential (EP) is defined as the potential to cause over-fertilisation of water and soil, which can result in increased growth of biomass. The overabundance of algae and plants caused by eutrophication sets off a chain reaction in the ecosystem, the excess algae and plant matter eventually decompose, producing large amounts of carbon dioxide. This lowers the pH of seawater, a process known as ocean acidification, which would have negative overall effects on many marine species, altering marine food chains and food supply to humans.
[edit] EN 15804:2012+A2:2019/AC:2021
Eutrophication potential is one of the core environmental impact indicators of EN 15804:2012+A2:2019/AC:2021which is used as guidance in the generation of the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology used to create Product Environmental Footprints (PEF). It is also one of the mandatory environmental performance indicators for the calculation, assessment and generation of environmental product declarations (EPDs).
Three different environmental protection indicators or areas are defined as: Aquatic freshwater, Aquatic marine, and terrestrial, accumulated exceedance (EN 15804. Version: August 2021). Each area has a different set of measures and indicators outlined below:
[edit] Aquatic freshwater levels
In the same way that the global warming potential (GWP) of different pollutants are converted to ratios CO2 equivalent figures, aquatic freshwater emissions are converted to P eq (phosporus) as below:
1 kg phosphorus = 1 kg P eq.
1 kg phosphate = 0.33 kg P eq.
1 kg phosporic acid = 0.32 kg P eq.
(Refs, EUTREND model, EN 15804. Version: August 2021, Struijs et al. 2009 as implemented in ReCiPe)
[edit] Aquatic marine water levels
Aquatic marine water emissions are converted to N eq (Nitrogen) as below:
1 kg nitrogen oxides = 0.389 kg N eq.
1 kg ammonia = 0.092 kg N eq.
(Refs, EUTREND model EN 15804. Version: August 2021, Struijs et al. 2009 as implemented in ReCiPe)
[edit] Terrestrial waters levels
Terrestrial water emissions are converted to N eq (Nitrogen) as below:
1 kg nitrogen oxides = 4.26 mol N eq.
1 kg nitrate = 3.16065 mol N eq.
1 kg ammonia = 13.47 kg N eq.
(Refs, accumulated exceedance, EN 15804. Version: August 2021, Seppälä et al. 2006, Posch et al. 2008)
[edit] Baseline levels
Finally a baseline reference is given below:
Version 1.0 of the default list of indicators (valid until 2022-12-31)
(Refs, EP, CML 2001 baseline (fate not included), Version: January 2016, Heijungs et al. (1992)
Examples
1 kg phosphate = 1 kg PO43- eq.
1 kg ammonia = 0.35 kg kg PO43- eq.
1 kg COD (to freshwater) = 0.022 kg kg PO43- eq.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Acidification potential EP.
- Ecologist.
- Ecology compensation.
- Ecology connectivity.
- Green Guide to Specification.
- Habitat Suitability Index.
- Material procurement.
- Product carbon footprint (PCF).
- Product Category Rules.
- Product Environmental Footprint PEF
- Responsible sourcing of construction products.
- Sustainable materials for construction
- Water consumption.
- Water resources.
- Water.
- Types of water
Featured articles and news
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.
Digital technology, transformation and cybersecurity
Supporting SMEs through Digitalisation in Construction.
Villa Wolf in Gubin, history and reconstruction. Book review.
Construction contract awards down one billion pounds
Decline over the past two months compared to the same period last year, follows the positive start to the year.
Editor's broadbrush view on forms of electrical heating in context.
The pace of heating change; BSRIA market intelligence
Electric Dreams, Boiler Realities.
New President of ECA announced
Ruth Devine MBE becomes the 112th President of the Electrical Contractors Association.
New CIAT Professional Standards Competency Framework
Supercedes the 2019 Professional Standards Framework from 1 May 2025.
Difficult Sites: Architecture Against the Odds
Free exhibition at the RIBA Architecture Gallery until 31 May.
PPN 021: Payment Spot Checks in Public Sub-Contracts
Published following consultation and influence from ECA.
Designing Buildings reaches 20,000 articles
We take a look back at some of the stranger contributions.
Lessons learned from other industries.