Give three negative effects of using nitrogen-containing fertilisers
- reduced species diversity - leaching - eutrophication
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Why would an increase in the use of nitrogen-containing fertilisers reduce species diversity?
As nitrogen-rich soils favour fast-growing plants these may outcompete other species
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What does a low nitrate concentration in bodies of water result in it being to the growth of aquatic organisms?
A limiting factor to their growth
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Why may nitrate concentrations increase in bodies of water?
Due to leaching of nitrogen-containing fertilisers
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What does an increase in nitrate concentration primarily cause?
An increase in algal growth, which causes an algal bloom
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What does the algal bloom result in for plants underneath?
As algae grows quickly to form a dense layer on the surface, this prevents sunlight penetrating it to allow plants underneath to photosynthesise, so plants deeper underwater die
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As a result of plants deeper underwater dying, the population of which group of organisms increases?
Saprobiontic bacteria
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The concentration of what falls as saprobiontic bacteria decompose the ded plants and why?
The concentration of oxgen falls as they require oxygen for respiration to decompose the plants
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As oxygen then becomes a limiting factor, what types of organisms then die?
Aerobic organisms such as fish
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As populations of anaerobic organisms increase due to less competition, what do they release as they carry on decomposing dead material?
More nitrates and toxic wastes like hydorgen sulfide
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What is leaching?
A process by which nutrients are removed from the soil by rainwater dissolving any soluble nutrients and carrying them deep into the soil out of reach of plants
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How can leaching be dangerous to humans?
If leached nitrate ions lead into lakes used for drinking water
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What effects could high nitrate concentrations have in humans?
- prevent efficient oxygen transport in babies - lead to stomach cancer
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Why would an increase in the use of nitrogen-containing fertilisers reduce species diversity?
Back
As nitrogen-rich soils favour fast-growing plants these may outcompete other species
Card 3
Front
What does a low nitrate concentration in bodies of water result in it being to the growth of aquatic organisms?
Back
Card 4
Front
Why may nitrate concentrations increase in bodies of water?
Back
Card 5
Front
What does an increase in nitrate concentration primarily cause?
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