13.5 environmental issues with nitrogen-containing fertilisers

Question 1

in which 3 ways does fertilisers affect the environment?

Answer 1

1- reduce species diversity
2- leaching
3- eutrophication

Question 2

how does fertilisers reduce species diversity?

Answer 2

nitrogen-rich soil favours fast growing plants -> outcompete slower-growing plants

Question 3

what is leaching and what does it lead to?

Answer 3

nutrients removed from soil by rain & travelled to lakes & rivers
-> eutrophication

Question 4

how does eutrophication lead to death of organisms in the lakes?

Answer 4

1- leaching increases conc. of nitrate ions
2- algae bloom blocks sunlight for producers
3- unable to carry out photosynthesis causing them to die
4- saprobionts decompose producers by aerobic respiration
5- lower O2 concentration
6- fish suffocate & die