Human impact on nitrogen cycle , Biology

Assignment Help:

Human Impact on Nitrogen Cycle

Human activities are profoundly affecting the cycling of nitrogen in nature. Over 30 x 106 metric tons/yr. of N2 is fixed in the commercial production of fertilisers, an amount almost equal to that fixed biologically. The use of N2 fertilisers affect the distribution of N2 on earth. Much of the nitrogen in the harvested crops becomes animal and human waste in sewage waters and eventually enters the aquatic ecosystem through runoff and leaching. Nitrogenous compounds leached into the groundwater may be abundant in irrigation and drinking water where they can cause serious health hazards. Nitrogenous compounds entering the lakes have fertilising effect resulting in algal blooms and promote cultural eutrophication.

Excessive growth of phytoplankton in eutrophic lakes produces huge quantities of biomass and finally collapse due to nutrient exhaustion. The dead organisms are consumed by detrivores which use up the oxygen supply. This problem of cultural eutrophication is, however, more severe in the case of phosphorus additions rather than nitrogen. When fossil fuels are burned we add nitrogenous compounds to the air. Large quantities of nitrogen oxide (NO) are released from vehicles and most of the NU is converted to NO2 by combining with ozone (O3) in the atmosphere. NO2 is a toxic gas for 6umans and a cause of smog. It combines with water to form nitric acid, HNO3, which forms 30% of the strong acids in the acid rain.


Related Discussions:- Human impact on nitrogen cycle

Describe explicit and semantic memory, Q. Describe Explicit and Semantic Me...

Q. Describe Explicit and Semantic Memory? Explicit memory: This is the conscious recollection of information such as specific facts or events and at least in humans that can be

Nucleolus, NUCLEOLUS Discovered by Fontana and name given by Bowm...

NUCLEOLUS Discovered by Fontana and name given by Bowman. It is naked structure that is attached to chromatin at specific point called nucleolar organiser region or

Define determinants of food security - food access, Define Determinants of ...

Define Determinants of Food Security - Food Access? Food access is linked to its affordability. Food access is ensured when households and all individuals within them have adeq

Titration of inverted honey solution, Titration of inverted honey solution ...

Titration of inverted honey solution It involves the titration of the inverted honey solution. Carry out the titration in the following manner. 1) In a conical flask take 5

Define isomerases, Isomerases These  enzymes (code  EC 5)  catalyze geo...

Isomerases These  enzymes (code  EC 5)  catalyze geometric  or  structural  changes  within  a molecule. According  to the  type of  isomerism,  they  may be  called  racemases

Give three examples of abiotic factors, Give three examples of abiotic fact...

Give three examples of abiotic factors and explain how they interact. Abiotic factors contain temperature, humidity, pH, salinity, O 2 concentration, amount of sunlight, avail

Why should posterior wall preffered during surgery, Why should Posterior wa...

Why should Posterior wall preffered during surgery Posterior wall should not be perforated during surgery. This limits bleeding from the pterygoid plexus or branches of the max

Explain class mammalia in animal kingdom, Explain Class Mammalia in animal ...

Explain Class Mammalia in animal kingdom? Class Mammalia: Mammals are distinguished by their hair and their mammary glands. Mammary glands, after which this group of vertebrate

Explain the types of surgery, Explain the Types of surgery ? Primary re...

Explain the Types of surgery ? Primary repair of ventricular septal defect has to be done whenever possible. III complex malformations associated with large VSD, pulmonary arte

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd