What process involves adding nutrients to a body of water, increasing the production of plants and algae?

The process of adding nutrients to a body of water, which in turn stimulates the production of plants and algae, is known as eutrophication. Eutrophication typically occurs when excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, enter the water from sources such as agricultural runoff, sewage discharge, or urban fertilizers. This nutrient enrichment can lead to rapid growth of aquatic plants and algae, a phenomenon often referred to as algal blooms.

While this process can initially enhance productivity and support aquatic life, it can also have negative consequences, such as depleting oxygen levels in the water when the algae die and decompose, leading to what is commonly known as hypoxia. This can harm fish and other aquatic organisms and disrupt the ecosystem balance.

In contrast, the other processes listed do not specifically relate to the addition of nutrients and their effects on aquatic ecosystems. Erosion refers to the wearing away of soil and rock, bioaccumulation is the gradual accumulation of substances in living organisms, and pollution encompasses a broader range of contaminants introduced into the environment, which may not necessarily involve nutrient loading. Hence, eutrophication is the most accurate term for the described phenomenon.