Environmental issues concerning use of nitrogen - containing fertilisers Flashcards
How do nitrogen - containing fertilisers improve crop productivity?
They increase nitrogen availability, which boosts growth, photosynthesis, and crop yield, providing cheaper food
What is one benefit of nitrogen - containing fertilisers?
They have significantly contributed to providing cheaper and more abundant food supplies
What is a major drawback of nitrogen - containing fertilisers on biodiversity?
They reduce species diversity by promoting the growth of fast - growing plants like grasses and nettles, which outcompete other species
Why do species - rich hay meadows require low soil nitrogen concentrations?
Low nitrogen levels allow a variety of species to compete with grasses, preserving biodiversity
What is eutrophication, and how is it related to nitrogen - containing fertilisers?
Eutrophication is the over - enrichment of water with nutrients, often caused by fertiliser leaching, leading to excessive algal growth and ecosystem damage
What is leaching?
Leaching is the process by which nutrients are removed from the soil by rainwater dissolving and carrying them away
How does leaching affect plant roots?
Soluble nutrients, like nitrate ions, are carried deep into the soil beyond the reach of the plant roots
Where do leached nitrate ions end up?
They enter watercourses, such as streams and rivers, and may drain into freshwater lakes
How can leached nitrate ions affect human health?
High nitrate concentrations in drinking water can impair oxygen transport in babies and have been linked to stomach cancer
What environmental issue is cause by leached nitrate ions?
They contribute to eutrophication, which damages aquatic ecosystems
What is eutrophication?
Eutrophication is the process by which nutrient concentrations, such as nitrates, increase in bodies of water, often leading to ecological changes
Where does eutrophication mostly occur?
It occurs primarily in freshwater lakes and the lower reaches of rivers
What is the initial limiting factor for plant and algal growth in most lakes and rivers?
The naturally low concentration of nitrate ions
What happens when nitrate ion concentration increases due to leaching?
Nitrate ions cease to a limiting factor, leading to increased growth of plants and algae
What is an algal bloom?
An algal bloom occurs when algae grows densely at the surface of the water, forming a thick layer