inorganic nutrient pollution

Question 1

what are the sources of inorganic nutrient pollution

Answer 1

1) phosphates in sewage effluent and eroded soil particles

2) nitrates washed off farmland from manure and artificial fertilisers

Question 2

list the effects of inorganic nutrient pollution

Answer 2

1) cultural eutrophication

2) effects on human health

Question 3

define eutrophication

Answer 3

the enrichment of a water body with nutrients, usually in excess, which results in the growth of plants and algae which causes deoxygenation of a water body

Question 4

what is the problem with the rapid growth in algae during eutrophication

Answer 4

1) release of harmful toxins which can effect animals and humans which drink from the water
2) prevents the photosynthesis of submerged plant species which may die disrupting the food web
3) deoxygenation

Question 5

list the effects of nitrates on human health

Answer 5

1) harm to babies

2) links to cancer

Question 6

outline the effect of nitrates on babies

Answer 6

1) nitrates are converted to nitrites by gut bacteria
2) nitrites react with haemoglobin in the blood decreasing its ability to carry oxygen
3) causes blue baby syndrome
4) more sever in babies as they have more of the gut bacteria as well as more reactive haemoglobin to nitrites

Question 7

outline nitrates and cancer

Answer 7

1) gut bacteria convert nitrates to nitrites

2) nitrites may be converted to nitrosamines which are carcinogenic and may cause stomach cancer

Question 8

how can inorganic nutrients be controlled

Answer 8

1) reduce nitrate fertilisers
2) reduce ploughing at times of heavy rain
3) reduce cultivation of crops with high nitrate requirements
4) add iron III sulfate to remove phosphates from liquid effluents
5) add iron III sulfate to water bodies to reduce solubility of phosphates