Nutrients associated with eutrophication include all of the following EXCEPT?

Eutrophication is a process that occurs when a body of water becomes overly enriched with nutrients, which leads to excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants. The primary nutrients that contribute to eutrophication are nitrogen and phosphorus, which are essential for plant growth but can lead to harmful algal blooms when available in excess.

Organic carbon can also be a contributing factor as it provides energy for microbial growth, which can further deplete oxygen in the water. Phosphates (phosphorus) and nitrates (nitrogen) are commonly associated with nutrient runoff from agricultural activities, sewage, and urban areas, leading to eutrophic conditions.

Potassium, while important for plant growth, is not typically associated with eutrophication. It does not directly stimulate algal or phytoplankton blooms in the same way that nitrogen and phosphorus do. Therefore, the nutrient that is least connected to the eutrophication process in this context is potassium, making it the correct answer in this multiple-choice question.