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Why is it important to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from raw sewage?

1 Answer

2 votes
Nitrogen and phosphorus leaked into the water systems increase nutrients available for algae, leading to eutrophication. Because of the amount of algae growing in water systems, bacteria use up a huge amount of oxygen during metabolism in order to clear away the algae. As a result there is much less oxygen available for other living things , and thus their oxygen requirement can not be met , and consequently there is a mass death of these organisms. 
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User AndiCover
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