Eutrophication/Fertilisers

Question 1

Fertilisers

Answer 1

Add nutrients to the soil
E.g. Nitrates
The nitrates allow the plants to make proteins
This leads to growth which means bigger leaves
Therefore more photosynthesis occurs
They an be either natural or artificial

Question 2

Natural fertilisers

Answer 2

Cheaper, less soluble so less leaching but smelly

Question 3

Artificial fertilisers

Answer 3

More concentrated so less needed, but expensive, more soluble

Question 4

Leaching

Answer 4

Nutrients are removed from the soil and washed into rivers

Leads to eutrophication

Question 5

Eutrophication

Answer 5

An increase in nitrate causes algal bloom
The algae block sunlight so the lower plants die
Sporophytes break down dead plant materials
Saprophytes use up oxygen in respiration/increase BOD
The fish die due to the lack of oxygen to respire