Normally when N & P are lost to aquatic systems, they result in eutrophication but same doesn't happen when K reaches water bodies. Could any one help me please.
Usually K is available in enough quantities in water & its up take by algae is minimal, as compared to N & P.
Refer the Book; The Ecology of Phytoplankton by Reynolds,wherein in Chapter 4 titled Nutrient up take & assimilation in phytoplankton,it says that Na,K,Mg Cl are used in small quantities,being relatively abundant in lake or sea. Those occurring in low concentrations are referred to as Trace Elements like Zinc,Copper,Molybdenum & Cobalt.
Apparently, Potassium is never growth limiting in surface waters.
In my opinion it is because of the fact that unlike K, N and P (mostly) are limiting nutrients in the water bodies hence K is not responsible for eutrophication. For further details you can go through "Liebig's Law of Minimum".
Agreed with all above but wanted to draw your attention to an interesting paper that challenges N causing eutrophication as well, particularly in lakes but also in coastal areas. Phosphorus seems to be the main problem pollutant as this can not be assimilated by algae from the atmosphere unlike N fixed by bluegreens etc. Is N really ever limiting? Here's the reference: Schindler DW. 2012. The dilemma of controlling cultural eutrophication of lakes. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 279(1746):4322-4333.
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