SSC Selection Post 2022 PYQ — Question 46

The correct answer is option 1 i.e. eutrophication.

The natural aging of a lake caused by the gradual accumulation of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, is known as eutrophication. This process occurs over centuries as minerals and organic matter from surrounding land slowly wash into the lake through rainfall, runoff, and natural erosion. These nutrients encourage the growth of aquatic plants and algae. As these organisms die and decompose, oxygen levels in the water decrease, affecting aquatic life. Over time, the lake becomes shallower and may eventually transform into a wetland or dry land. While eutrophication is a natural process, human activities like agriculture and wastewater discharge can accelerate it, leading to cultural eutrophication, which significantly speeds up the degradation of water quality and aquatic ecosystems.