Why are the fertilizers used by farmers bad for the environment?
Some soil microorganisms can transform nitrogen provided in fertilizers into nitrogen-containing gases, which get released into the atmosphere like the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). Greenhouse gases are one of the main factors accelerating global warming.
Why is too much fertilizer bad for the environment?
Excess fertilizer can wash away with rain water into habitats where extensive amounts of it cause harmful impacts. Too much of a good thing, excess fertilizer in soils and waterways can lower oxygen levels and decrease the habitability of these areas for the organisms that live there.
What happens when farmers use too much fertilizer?
Excess fertilizer alters the soil by creating too high of a salt concentration, and this can hurt beneficial soil microorganisms. Over- fertilization can lead to sudden plant growth with an insufficient root system to supply adequate water and nutrients to the plant.
What problems can fertilizer and pesticides cause?
After countless studies, pesticides have been linked to cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, ADHD, and even birth defects. Pesticides also have the potential to harm the nervous system, the reproductive system, and the endocrine system.
How does fertilizer affect the ecosystem?
Fertilizers contain high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which can lead to oxygen depletion, overgrowth of vegetation, and fish kills. In order to protect wildlife and aquatic species from pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers that pollute our waters, buffer zones need to be enforced.
How does over fertilization affect the environment?
When more fertilizer is applied than plants can take up, the surplus nutrients, particularly nitrogen, can be lost to the environment. Unused nitrogen fertilizer can leach downward into groundwater, enter nearby surface waters through runoff, or be released into the atmosphere as gases.
What happens if you over fertilize?
Over fertilization can actually decrease growth and leave plants weak and vulnerable to pests and diseases. It can also lead to the ultimate demise of the plant. Signs of over fertilization include stunted growth, burned or dried leaf margins, wilting and collapse or death of plants.
What effect does Fertilisers have on the environment?
When crops are harvested, nitrogen is removed from the soil (in the protein of the plant products). Adding nitrate fertilisers , manure or compost to the soil can replace soil nitrogen. This makes the soil fertile again, allows more plant growth to occur and increases the yield of the next crop.
