The Environmental Impact of Chemical Fertilizers
The effects of excessive use of chemical fertilizers on the environment can be analyzed as follows:
Impact on Marine Life
Nitrogen fertilizers are among the most significant agricultural chemicals that contribute to the pollution of air, water, and food sources. The natural nitrogen cycle, along with its leaching between terrestrial, marine, and atmospheric environments, leads to the formation of highly toxic nitrogen compounds or derivatives. Some of these substances accumulate in the ocean floor, resulting in adverse effects on marine ecosystems.
Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Soil
The use of phosphate fertilizers increases future environmental risks and contamination by toxic mineral residues such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium. It also alters various chemical and physical properties of the soil, including pH levels, which can significantly impact the quantity and quality of beneficial organisms.
The danger posed by the elements contained in chemical fertilizers lies in their potential to enter the food chain of animals, plants, and humans. Moreover, excessive fertilizer use can change soil fertility, especially if acidity levels rise significantly.
Algal Bloom in Waterways
Studies have shown that the leaching of these fertilizers into seas, oceans, or wastewater systems can lead to an excessive increase in algal growth in aquatic environments. This overgrowth reduces oxygen levels and can result in the death of fish and other marine organisms.
The application of chemical fertilizers, particularly those containing nitrates, also encourages the proliferation of microorganisms such as algae and parasites in water drainage systems.
Air Pollution
Chemical fertilizers are typically composed of substances like methane, ammonia, and carbon dioxide. Their emission contributes to the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and changes in weather patterns.
Impact on Human Health
If chemical fertilizers contaminate groundwater or water used for household purposes, nitrates can transform into nitrites in the human intestines. This transformation poses health risks, including stomach cancer in adults and Blue Baby Syndrome in infants.