Fertilisers and Eutrophication

Question 1

Why are fertilisers used

Answer 1

Replace nutrients lost in soil
Eg: removal of crops for harvest so less organic matter to be decomposed and recycled

Question 2

What does an increase in nutrient levels mean

Answer 2

Allows farmer to maximise yields without negative impacts on crop or livestock quality

Question 3

2 types of fertilises

Answer 3

Artificial = produced specifically to replace nutrients (inorganic)
Natural = taken from organic matter used to replace nutrients ( organic)

Question 4

What is eutrophication proscess

Answer 4

1- fertilisers leach into soil and flow into pond/ lake
2- algal growth due to excess nutrients on surface preventing light reaching water below
3- plants below algae die
4- bacteria flourish due to dead matter
5- oxygen in water decreases causing other organisms (fish) to die due to no O2

Question 5

What is leaching

Answer 5

• water soluble nutrients (nitrates + phosphates etc) are lost from soil