how do the chemical fertilizers affect the soil groundwater lakes and rivers? what were the effects of use of chemical fertilizers in Punjab?
Answers
*ON SOIL
using too much of fertilizers in the soil can alter the fertility of the soil by increasing the acid levels in the soil. Which is why it is recommended to get a soil test to observe that you are using right amount of fertilizers or not. 7pH level is considered to be neutral it may vary from 0-14, pH varies from plant to plant and can be altered by bringing in some changes. Bottom line for using too much of fertilizers in the soil is that, though it may seem to work currently, but it may kill the plants.
*ON WATER IN LAKE And River
fertilizers are washed into lakes and oceans through rains and sewage from farm. These substances prove to become toxic for the aquatic life, increasing the excessive growth of algae in the water bodies and decreasing the levels of oxygen. This leads to a toxic environment and leads to death of fish and other aquatic fauna and flora. t contributes to an imbalance in the food chain as the different kinds of fishes in the water bodies tend to be the main food source of various birds and animals in the environment.
*ON GROUND WATER
the effect of chemical nitrogen fertilizer application on groundwater arsenic pollution. Arsenic and N concentrations in peat sediment were high. In the groundwater, a high arsenic concentration was observed under a high ammonium-N concentration with reducing conditions. source of N in peat sediment and groundwater was possibly chemical N fertilizer. Thus, we assumed that a high N environment created by the fertilizer led the groundwater to reducing conditions through the enhancement of microbial activity, and the reducing condition promoted the arsenic release from peat sediment to the groundwater.
*fertilizer effect in Punjab
Unscientific” use of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium) nutrient ratio has had a bad impact on nutrient elements in the soil and reduced the crop yields in the grain bowl of our country, Punjab.
Answer:
Explanation:
(i) Chemical fertilizers provide minerals which dissolve in water and are immediately available to plants. But these may not be retained in the soil for long. They may escape from the soil and pollute groundwater, rivers and lakes.
(ii) Chemical fertilizers can also kill bacteria and other micro-organisms in the soil. This means some time after the use, the soil will be less fertile than ever before.
(iii) The consumption of chemical fertilizers in Punjab is highest in the country. The continuous use of chemical fertilizers has led to degradation of soil health.
(iv) In order to maintain the same production level, the farmers in Punjab use more and more chemical fertilizers and other inputs. This has not only lowered the quality of the crops but also the quality of the soil.
(v) Using more and more chemical fertilizers and other inputs means cost of cultivation is very high which is difficult for the small farmers to carry on.