Sustainable approaches to reduce agricultural runoff and control eutrophication

Agricultural runoff is a major non-point source of water pollution and one of the leading causes of eutrophication in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and coastal ecosystems worldwide. Excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus derived from chemical fertilizers, livestock manure, crop residues, and soil erosion, are transported into nearby water bodies through surface runoff and leaching processes. These nutrient inputs stimulate harmful algal blooms, reduce water clarity, deplete dissolved oxygen, and cause severe biodiversity loss and ecological imbalance. This review highlights the major sources, environmental impacts, and long-term consequences of agricultural runoff. It also evaluates mitigation strategies, including sustainable farming practices, precision irrigation, vegetative buffer zones, nutrient management planning, wastewater treatment, organic fertilization, and policy interventions. Integrated management approaches are essential to ensure water quality protection and sustainable agricultural productivity.