Problems with Fertilizers

Problems with Synthetic Fertilizer Water Pollution: The nutrients in fertilizer can be problematic once it gets into the water systems How does it get into the water Systems Rain water runs over the soil Excess nutrients are dissolved in the water Rain water contaminated with fertilizer travels down to creeks, rivers, lakes, and the oceans

Problems with increased nutrients Eutrophication: Increase in nutrient levels in water bodies Why is it a problem? Increased nitrogen and phosphorous increase the growth of algae Algae dies off and sinks to the bottom Decaying algae releases carbon dioxide Increased carbon dioxide suffocates fish and other living organisms Carbon dioxide also makes the water more acidic

Problems with Synthetic Fertilizer Contamination: Many fertilizers contain trace amounts of heavy metals and other harmful chemicals How do contaminants effect the environment

Environmental effects of Heavy Metals Cadmium: Builds up as it travels in the food chain. Results in nervous system damage, cancer, and kidney failure Uranium: Uranium leaches out of fertilizer and into water ways. Small amounts of it can destroy body tissues. Effects blood, bone, and kidneys.

Fertilizer Dependent Plants Fertilizer Dependency: When plants require nutrients from fertilizers for their survival. They can no longer survive without a constant supply of fertilizer. How does it develop: (Similar to drug dependency in humans.) Plants develop a need for easily available nutrients. Dependency develops by the loss of relationships.

Relationships Plants and Symbiotic Relationships Plants + Mychorrhizae: -Mychorrhizae is a fungus found in the soil. -The cells of this fungus intertwine with the plant’s root cells. -The fungus benefits by obtaining sugar created by plants -The plant benefits by picking up phosphorous and minerals from the fungi - Plants will not form this relationship if they are overloaded with nutrients.

Relationships Plants and Symbiotic Relationships Plants + Bacteria: -Most of the Nitrogen in plants comes from the atmosphere (78% of the air we breathe is Nitrogen gas N2) -The Nitrogen gas is converted to ammonia by bacteria -Nitrifying bacteria converts the ammonia to nitrite. They also convert ammonia from animal waste to nitrite -Another group of nitrifying bacteria converts the nitrite to nitrate -The nitrates are used as food for plants

Fertilizer Dependent Plants Why does Fertilizer Dependence develop: Farmers started sterilizing soil to kill off pests. Addition of large quantities of nutrients resulted in plants not forming the necessary relationships with bacteria and fungus.

Problems with Synthetic Fertilizer Soil Acidification: The decrease in the pH or acidity of the soil How does acid build up By regularly applying acidic fertilizer to soil you start to decrease the pH

Problems with Synthetic Fertilizer Problems with Soil Acidification: Acid breaks down rock and releases minerals such as heavy metals that can be toxic to plants Certain plants cannot adapt to acidic soil (example: conifers)

Problems with Synthetic Fertilizer Loss of Micronutrients: Synthetic fertilizers contain macronutrients. As plants grow they need both macro and micronutrients to survive but only macronutrients are replaced when synthetic fertilizers are applied.

Micronutrients Deficiency Loss of Micronutrients: Synthetic fertilizers contain macronutrients. As plants grow they need both macro and micronutrients to survive but only macronutrients are replaced.

Problems with Synthetic Fertilizer High Energy Consumption: The creation of Synthetic Fertilizers requires large amounts of energy. The energy released by burning Natural gas is used to produce the synthetic fertilizer

Assignment Write a summary explaining the problems with synthetic fertilizers Water pollution Contamination Fertilizer dependent Soil acidification Loss of micronutrients High energy consumption