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

Rbc & wbc, difference between RBC and WBC for homework

difference between RBC and WBC for homework

Explain the types of foods used in space, Explain the types of foods used i...

Explain the types of foods used in Space? The various types of foods are enumerated herewith. Thennostabilized (T): Heat processed foods ("off-the-shelf' items) in aluminium

Name the three types of joints in human skeleton, Describe giving one examp...

Describe giving one example of each, the three types of joints in human skeleton, based on the capacity of movement. A patient was complaining of frequent urination, excessive

Define the term prebiotics, Define the term Prebiotics? Dietary Sources...

Define the term Prebiotics? Dietary Sources and their Mode of Action/health Effects We have already seen how prebiotics are defined. Let us go a little in-depth about them. Pre

Explain mid-diastolic and lafe diastolic pre systolic sound, Explain Mid-di...

Explain Mid-diastolic and Lafe Diastolic (Pre Systolic) Sounds ? Mid-diastolic sounds are S3 sounds and late diastolic (pre systolic) sounds are S3 sounds. Pre systolic Pacema

Estimation of protein by carcass nitrogen analysis method, Define Estimatio...

Define Estimation of protein by Carcass nitrogen analysis method? Carcass nitrogen analysis: This method includes Nitrogen retention method Net protein utilization

Corpus luteum in human females.., what is the fate of corpus luteum if egg...

what is the fate of corpus luteum if egg gets fertilised ?

Texture of food product, Q. Texture of food product? Texture may be acc...

Q. Texture of food product? Texture may be accessed through touch or mouth feels. When the food is placed in the mouth, the surface of the tongue and other sensitive skin react

Explain in brief about the term - calcium, Explain in brief about  the ter...

Explain in brief about  the term - Calcium   Calcium is absorbed as Ca 2+ ion and is a constituent of cell wall, an activator of different plant enzymes and is essential for t

Anemochory - dispersal of seeds, Anemochory - Dispersal of Seeds Seed...

Anemochory - Dispersal of Seeds Seeds that are dispersed by air currents are usually light or are provided with special structures to help them remain air-borne for long peri

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