Which of the following best describes eutrophication?

Eutrophication is best described as an overgrowth of aquatic plants due to nutrient enrichment. This process typically occurs when excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, enter water bodies—often as a result of agricultural runoff, sewage discharge, or fertilizer use. These nutrients promote the rapid growth of algae and aquatic plants, leading to algal blooms.

As the algae proliferate, several consequences can occur. The dense algal blooms can block sunlight from reaching submerged plants, ultimately affecting their ability to photosynthesize and leading to a decline in plant diversity. As the algae die and decompose, the decomposition process consumes oxygen in the water, which can lead to hypoxic or anoxic conditions detrimental to aquatic life. This oxygen depletion can result in fish kills and a loss of biodiversity rather than an increase.

The other choices do not encompass the complete process associated with eutrophication. While a decrease in water clarity is a consequence of eutrophication, it is a symptom rather than a defining characteristic. An increase in biodiversity is not a typical outcome; often, eutrophication diminishes biodiversity due to the unfavorable conditions created by algal blooms. Lastly, the notion of a natural progression of water bodies to a desert is misleading and does not accurately depict