Home > Environmental Science > Agriculture

How can fertilizer use by farmers have negative effects on aquatic ecosystems?

Answer 1

It gives aquatic ecosystems a large amount of a limiting nutrient.

For instance, an algal bloom could occur in an ecosystem where there is an excess of nitrogen due to runoff, which is the result of algae floating to the top of the water and blocking out all sunlight. This would make it more difficult for autotrophs to make food for themselves and their surroundings.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer 2

Aubrey Arnold

Fertilizer use by farmers can lead to negative effects on aquatic ecosystems through nutrient runoff into water bodies. Excessive nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus can cause algal blooms, depleting oxygen levels in the water and leading to fish kills. Additionally, nutrient runoff can contribute to eutrophication, which disrupts the balance of aquatic ecosystems and harms aquatic life.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.