How can Phosphates affect our river water if there is a lot of phosphates in the river?

Question

Can some1 tell me how can phosphates affect our watershed enviorment?

Answer 1

It acts as a fertilizer for the algae in the water. The algae grows like crazy and chokes out everything else. The oxygen level goes down and eventually it ruins the habitat for fish. The water becomes stagnant and dead. The balance of nature is thrown off..