Issues Concerning Nitrogen-Containing Fertilisers

• How do fertilisers benefit us?

  They provide us with cheaper food.
• What are the detrimental effects of using nitrogen-containing fertilisers?

  Reduced species diversity, leaching, and eutrophication.
• How do nitrogen-containing fertilisers reduce species diversity?

  Nitrogen-rich soil favours the growth of rapidly growing species (nettles) which out-competes with many other species.
• What is leaching?


  The process by which nutrients are removed from the soil.
• How does rainwater cause leaching?

  It dissolves any soluble nutrients deep into the soil and out of reach from the plant roots, where they find their way into watercourses and fresh lakes.
• How is leaching harmful to humans?

  Drinking water high in nitrate ions can prevent efficient oxygen transport and is linked to stomach cancer.
• How is leaching harmful to the environment?

  It can cause eutrophication.
• What is eutrophication?

  The process by which nutrient concentrations increase in bodies of water.
• What is a limiting factor for plants and algal growth in lakes and rivers?

  Nitrate ions.
• What is the process of eutrophication?

  Nitrate ion concentration increases as a result of leaching, the upper layers of water become densely populated with algae, this layer absorbs light and prevents it from penetrating lower, light is then a limiting factor causing plants to die, saprobiontic bacteria grow due to this and increase the oxygen demand resulting in aerobic organisms dying and anaerobic organisms rising which release toxic wastes.