What is the role of fertilisers in eutrophication?

What is the role of fertilisers in eutrophication?

Eutrophication refers to an over-supply in chemical nutrients in an ecosystem, leading to the depletion of oxygen in a water system through excessive plant growth. These chemical nutrients usually contain nitrogen or phosphorus. When a system is enriched with nitrogen, plant growth is accelerated.

What happens when farmers overuse fertilisers?

Without fertilisers yields of crops would be lower. However too much fertiliser can pollute water supplies, causing eutrophication . The extra mineral ions cause algae to overgrow, blocking sunlight and killing other plants.

How does eutrophication harm the environment?

Eutrophication sets off a chain reaction in the ecosystem, starting with an overabundance of algae and plants. The excess algae and plant matter eventually decompose, producing large amounts of carbon dioxide. This lowers the pH of seawater, a process known as ocean acidification.

What are the disadvantages of eutrophication?

Eutrophication can have serious effects, like algal blooms that block light from getting into the water and harm the plants and animals that need it. If there’s enough overgrowth of algae, it can prevent oxygen from getting into the water, making it hypoxic and creating a dead zone where no organisms can survive.

How does the overuse of nitrate Fertilisers cause eutrophication?

A major problem with the use of fertilisers occurs when they are washed off the land by rainwater into rivers and lakes. This leaching causes an increase in the levels of minerals such as nitrate and phosphate in the water, a process called eutrophication . Eutrophication encourages the growth of algae.

What are the consequences of applying excessive fertilizers for crop production?

The over-use of chemical fertilizers can lead to soil acidification because of a decrease in organic matter in the soil. Nitrogen applied to fields in large amounts over time damages topsoil, resulting in reduced crop yields. Sandy soils are much more prone to soil acidification than are clay soils.

How does pollution cause eutrophication?

Harmful algal blooms, dead zones, and fish kills are the results of a process called eutrophication—which begins with the increased load of nutrients to estuaries and coastal waters. The excess algae and plant matter eventually decompose, producing large amounts of carbon dioxide.

What problems does eutrophication cause?

“Eutrophication is an enrichment of water by nutrient salts that causes structural changes to the ecosystem such as: increased production of algae and aquatic plants, depletion of fish species, general deterioration of water quality and other effects that reduce and preclude use”.

What environmental hazards can result from eutrophication?

Primary Impacts Eutrophication leads to an increased algal growth (because the level of nutrients increases). It can lead to a shift in species composition to fast growing algae species (including toxic species) and a shift from long lived macroalgae to more nuisance species.