How can fertilizer use be detrimental to the environment

Microbiologists and soil scientists are working on ways to improve field conditions to promote the growth of naturally occurring soil nitrogen-fixing bacteria. In addition, they are also working on ways to prevent the growth of soil microorganisms that contribute to fixed nitrogen being lost to the atmosphere or waterways Figure 3. Together, this would reduce the overall amount of nitrogen-containing fertilizer needed to get the same crop yield.

Chemists are working on designing fertilizers that are stable in soils over longer time periods and are less likely to be broken down by microorganisms. These slow release fertilizers release little bits of nutrients at a time, so nutrients are available throughout the lifetime of the crops.

This approach is still dependent on nitrogen-containing fertilizers, but it would reduce the amount of fertilizer needed and decrease the nitrogen lost. Plant biologists are trying to genetically engineer crops that would require less nitrogen from fertilizers [ 5 ]. These crops would be able to fix their own nitrogen from nitrogen gas, just like the specialized nitrogen-fixing microorganisms.

These crops would need less fertilizer to produce the same crop yield Figure 3. Computer scientists and soil scientists are working together to design smart fertilization systems, which can monitor soil and air conditions in agricultural fields. These systems can then add small amounts of fertilizer only when needed. This minimizes the amount of fertilizer added, makes fertilizer additions targeted to the crops needs, and decreases the amount of nitrogen lost.

Fertilizers provide crops with essential nutrients like nitrogen, so that the crops grow bigger, faster, and produce more food. However, applying too much fertilizer can be a problem because it leads to the release of greenhouse gases and eutrophication. Scientists are currently trying to find solutions to reduce the amount of fertilizers needed, without reducing the amount of food produced. Nitrogen fixation can occur naturally through lightning strikes, be performed by specialized microorganisms, or be accomplished industrially.

It was discovered by and is named for the scientists Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch. One major consequence is harmful algal blooms and the loss of aquatic life. These cyanobacteria and algae release harmful chemicals—toxins—into the waterway. The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. Linnea Kop graciously created and granted permission for the use of her illustrations for all of the figures used in this article.

Nitrogen: the historical progression from ignorance to knowledge, with a view to future solutions. Soil Res. Nitrogen: Too Much of a Vital Resource. Science Brief. Zeist: WWF Netherlands. Fertilisers provide nutrients for plants. Nutrients needed in the largest quantities in agriculture are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The adverse publicity given by the media to agriculture's role in polluting the environment may make farmers feel guilty about using fertiliser.

However, reducing fertiliser input can lead to reduced plant growth which can aggravate problems such as soil erosion.

It is important for you to be aware of the effects of fertilisers and to use them carefully, but it is also important that everyone realises that agricultural fertilisers are not the main sources of environmental pollution.

If you apply fertilisers sensibly, so that plants use all the nutrients and none are leached, there is little opportunity for pollution. On farmed land, most nitrogen is in organic matter which must first be mineralised by soil microbes into ammonium or nitrate to be used by plants.

Nitrate is easily leached from soil and so presents the most opportunity for pollution. Phosphorus is a very stable element and moves only 1—5 mm from where it is spread. It binds quickly with soil minerals, so is unlikely to leach through soil except under high rainfall in very sandy soils. It is mainly lost from the soil by erosion when soil particles holding the phosphorus are blown or washed away.

For this reason fertiliser phosphorus is unlikely to be a major contributor to phosphate pollution of waterways, unless erosion occurs. Potassium is taken up by plant roots very rapidly and is not used in great quantities, so represents little environmental threat.

Bananas need large quantities of potassium and care needs to be taken to apply it in small amounts, often, so that the plant can use all of it. Nitrate leaching through the soil can present a serious health hazard and contributes to soil acidification. When high rates of nitrogen are used or where clover grass pastures fix substantial nitrogen, especially on sandy or permeable soils, inevitably some nitrate is leached and may enter groundwater if there is a watertable.

If this groundwater is used for domestic supplies, the leaching presents a serious health hazard. Eutrophication is the enrichment of water by the addition of nutrients. The extra nutrients encourage the growth of algal blooms, particularly in stagnant water. S hare your worl d. Post comments, photos and videos, or broadcast a live stream, to friends, family, followers, or everyone. Share thoughts, events, experiences, and milestones, as you travel along the path that is uniquely yours.

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