 What eutrophication is :
"Eutrophication is the process of nutrient enrichment of waters
which results in the stimulation of an array of symptomatic changes
amongst which increased production of algae and aquatic macrophytes (plants),
deterioration of water quality and other symptomatic changes are found
to be undesirable and interfere with water uses."
[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 1982]
Eutrophication is of concern because it can have numerous negative impacts. These include
ecological impacts (like the deterioration of water quality and loss of biodiversity),
aesthetic, recreational and human health impacts. All these impacts have
a significant economic impact.
The state of eutrophication in South Africa :
Many South African impoundments exhibit high nutrient enrichment and eutrophication related problems.
Some 80 impoundments have been monitored in South Africa.
However, many impoundments do not have regular eutrophication monitoring.
The main aim of the NEMP is to address this need.
The NEMP provides periodic assessments of eutrophication in South Africa:
Acknowledgements :
The success of the NEMP is not only dependent on the efforts of Resource Quality Monitoring sub-directorate,
but the support of many other groups and individuals.
The Resource Quality Information sub-directorate does scheduling,
consolidation of sample reception, database development, data administration and data visualisation.
The Analytical Services sub-directorate conducts all analyses for the samples arriving at RQS.
Many Water Control Officers, Regional offices and other local stakeholders
assist with the vast number of samples not collected by RQS technical staff.
History :
The NEMP originates from the former Trophic Status Project,
which aimed at monitoring seven selected and impacted catchments.
The NEMP implementation started in 2002 and aims at monitoring throughout
South Africa to report on the trophic status of monitoring sites and
to report on the related problems, including algae growth,
cyanobacterial blooms and excessive water plant growth.
Last update of this page
2011-09-07 12:13
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