Question

Which substance in fertilizers can cause an overgrowth of algae? A. carbon C. hydrogen B. nitrogen D. oil

Short answer

Nitrogen in fertilizers can cause overgrowth of algae.

Step-by-step solution

Identify Key Concepts

The question asks which substance in fertilizers can lead to overgrowth of algae. This situation is usually related to water environments and is known as eutrophication.

Understand Eutrophication

Eutrophication occurs when a body of water becomes overly enriched with nutrients, causing excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants.

Common Nutrient in Fertilizers

Fertilizers commonly contain nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Among these, nitrogen is most often associated with promoting plant growth.

Effects of Nitrogen in Water

When nitrogen from fertilizers enters water systems, it can promote the rapid growth of algae. This is because algae consume nitrogen to grow.

Compare with Options

Review the provided options: A. carbon, B. nitrogen, C. hydrogen, D. oil. Only nitrogen is typically associated with fertilizer-induced algae growth.

Key concepts

Algae Overgrowth

Algae overgrowth is a phenomenon that occurs when algae, particularly in aquatic environments, begin to grow excessively. This typically happens when conditions provide optimal growth factors, mainly excessive nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. Algae are microscopic plants that thrive in water. When they grow uncontrollably, they can form algal blooms.
Algal blooms can cover the water surface, blocking sunlight from reaching underwater plants. These blooms often deplete oxygen in the water as they decompose, leading to dead zones where aquatic life cannot survive. Algae overgrowth can thus disrupt ecosystems, harm water quality, and negatively impact other aquatic organisms.

Nutrient Enrichment

Nutrient enrichment refers to the process where water becomes rich in nutrients. This usually results from agricultural runoff, where fertilizers enter water systems. The primary nutrients that cause this are nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients encourage the rapid growth of algae and other aquatic plants.
This process can transform clear water into a green soup appearance due to the dense mass of organisms proliferating in the water. Nutrient enrichment can be both natural and man-made. Human activities like farming and industrial waste significantly contribute to this issue, leading to the condition known as eutrophication.

Nitrogen in Fertilizers

Nitrogen is one of the essential elements in fertilizers that helps plants grow. Its primary function is to promote leaf and stem growth in plants, making it a critical component of agricultural practices. However, when nitrogen-heavy fertilizers run off into bodies of water, they contribute significantly to algae growth.
In water systems, excess nitrogen causes algae to grow rapidly, leading to the problems associated with algal blooms. This nutrient becomes a powerful growth enhancer for algae, turning balanced aquatic environments into problematic zones due to the resulting ecological imbalance. Addressing the runoff through improved agricultural practices is essential for mitigating nitrogen's impact on ecosystems.