I know that elements are pure substances that consist of a single type of particle or atom. The periodic table helps me better understand the way the elements are categorized. It can help me identify characteristics of an element, its number of valence electrons for main group elements (groups 1, 2, 13, 14, 15. 16, 17, 18), its possible interactions and reactions with other elements. It can also help distinguish between metals, metalloids and non-metals. It can give me valuable information such as each element’s symbol, the period number which tells me the number of orbits around the nucleus, the number of electrons.
My ecological concern is the extensive use of fertilizers in agriculture.
The elements of fertilizers that play a role with my ecological concern are nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. While these elements are essential to growth and nutrition of plants, too much of them can have serious adverse impacts on the environment.
The reasons I believe these elements are connected to my ecological concern include:
Nitrogen (N):
Too much Nitrogen in the soil can lead to an overgrowth of foliar plant at the expense of flowers and fruits sets which can negatively impact the bees. Energy used for leaf growth can stifle the root system with high nitrogen soil levels. Roots slow their naturally spreading habit since they do not have the necessary nutrients to use as energy as the elements are redirected upward. This can destabilize the root system of several different plants (The Effects of Too Much Nitrogen in Plants).
Furthermore, the excessive nitrogen from the soil might transfer to the aquatic ecosystem via runoffs. This can lead to excessive amount of nutrition for, and overgrowth of planktons and algae, can lead to eutrophication and negatively impact the balance of the aquatic ecosystems.
Potassium (K):
Potassium makes plants stronger and helps them resist diseases. It plays an important role in increasing crop yields and overall quality. However, too much of it can negatively impact the way the soil absorbs other important nutrients (Potassium Rich Soil: Tips For Lowering Potassium Levels).
Phosphorus (P):
High amounts of phosphorus can lead to zinc and iron deficiencies in the soil. This can starve plants from these important minerals and can lead to the weakness and withering of plants. (Lowering Phosphorus Levels – Correcting High Phosphorus in Soil).
The excessive amounts of Phosphorus in the soil might transfer to the aquatic ecosystem and provide excessive nutrients for planktons and algae.
In general excessive amounts of the main elements of fertilizer can have negative impacts on not only the soil quality, but the aquatic ecosystem as well by increasing the chance of eutrophication which is a condition where there are too many nutrients, especially phosphorus, in the water.
Eutrophication can lead to algal blooms which turn the water green, the algae eventually die, and their remains sink to the bottom of the lake where bacteria will cause them to decompose. This may remove excessive amounts of oxygen from the water, and create dead zones at lower depths where fish may go to seek cooler temperatures. Lack of oxygen will be fatal to the fish.
Sources and References:
- The Effects of Too Much Nitrogen in Plants (https://homeguides.sfgate.com/effects-much-nitrogen-plants-43755.html)
- Potassium Rich Soil: Tips For Lowering Potassium Levels (https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/lowering-potassium-levels.htm)
- Lowering Phosphorus Levels – Correcting High Phosphorus In Soil (https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/high-phosphorus-in-soil.htm)
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