Lake trophic status is classified based on nutrient (particularly total phosphorus) concentrations, with oligotrophic (nutrient-poor, typically clear, low-productivity) lakes characterized by very low total phosphorus concentrations (conventionally less than about 10 micrograms per liter), mesotrophic lakes having intermediate concentrations, and eutrophic (nutrient-rich, high-productivity) lakes having substantially higher total phosphorus concentrations.
Standard limnological trophic classification schemes define oligotrophic lakes as those with total phosphorus concentrations below approximately 10 micrograms per liter, reflecting low nutrient availability, low...
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