The impact of nitrogen fertilizers on the ecological environment and countermeasures

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1. Nitrogen fertilizers and water eutrophication. Eutrophication refers to the accumulation of nutrients and the consequences that result from it. It is a natural process, primarily involving the accumulation of nitrogen and phosphorus. This leads to the death of large numbers of organisms in water, causes the water to take on a colored appearance, and produces unpleasant odors. In paddy fields, due to high levels of infiltration, significant amounts of fertilizer are lost; it is estimated that 20% of the applied fertilizer is lost, with nitrate nitrogen accounting for 95% of this loss. The extent of nutrient loss is closely related to the amount of fertilizer applied, the form of the fertilizer, the method of application, and the conditions of the soil.

2. Nitrogen fertilizers and groundwater pollution. The nutrients in fertilizers leach downward through the soil and enter groundwater, thereby causing pollution. Groundwater is used for drinking by humans and animals in many places, and polluted water sources can have negative effects on their health. Various forms of nitrogen used in fertilization are converted into NO3-N in the soil through the action of microorganisms; this substance is not absorbed by the soil and thus easily enters groundwater.

3. Nitrogen fertilizers and air pollution. The use of nitrogen fertilizers contributes to air pollution. The main pollutants are the volatilization of NH3, as well as NO and NO2 generated during denitrification processes. (The hazards of these gases go without saying.) Strategies to address this issue include minimizing the volatilization and loss of nitrogen, as well as improving the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer use. Understanding the transformation patterns of nitrogen in the soil, as well as effective measures to prevent nitrogen loss and enhance fertilizer efficiency, are fundamental prerequisites for the rational use of nitrogen fertilizers.