Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs
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Nutrients in waterbodies and watercourses

Phosphorus

Since the early 1980s, Québec has made staunch efforts to prevent the pollution of rivers and lakes by phosphorus. Since phosphorus is the main cause of lake and river eutrophication, it is essential that phosphorus inputs into waterbodies and watercourses be carefully controlled.

Total nitrogen

Since the 1900s, the flow of nitrogen into the St. Lawrence system has quadrupled, contributing significantly to the eutrophication of the St. Lawrence estuary and to its consequences: hypoxia, deep-water acidification and red tides. Diffuse inputs, notably from agricultural activities, are the main sources of nitrogen transiting through the tributaries of the St. Lawrence, the St. Lawrence itself, and its estuary. Municipal wastewater discharges are the main secondary sources.

 

Rivers and lakes


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