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Excessive use of which of the following fertilizers may be responsible for the presence of a toxic substance in groundwater?
  • a)
    Nitrogen
  • b)
    Phosphate only
  • c)
    Potassium only
  • d)
    Phosphate and potassium
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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Excessive use of which of the following fertilizers may be responsible...
  • One of the causes of groundwater pollution is the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
  • Only a fraction of the nitrogen-based fertilizers is converted to produce and other plant matter. The remainder accumulates in the soil or lost as run-off.
  • High application rates of nitrogen-containing fertilizers combined with the high water-solubility of nitrate lead to increased runoff into surface water as well as leaching into groundwater, thereby causing groundwater pollution.
  • The heavy use of nitrogenous fertilizers in cropping systems is the largest contributor to anthropogenic nitrogen in groundwater worldwide.
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Excessive use of which of the following fertilizers may be responsible...


Excessive Use of Nitrogen Fertilizers and Groundwater Contamination

Excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers is a common practice in agriculture to enhance crop production. However, when these fertilizers are not absorbed by plants, they can leach into the soil and eventually reach groundwater. This can lead to groundwater contamination with nitrates, a toxic substance that poses serious health risks to humans and animals.

Reasons for Nitrogen Fertilizer Contamination

- Nitrogen fertilizers are highly soluble in water, making them prone to leaching into groundwater.
- Overapplication of nitrogen fertilizers can result in an excess amount of nitrates in the soil, which eventually seep into groundwater through a process called leaching.

Health Risks Associated with Nitrate Contamination

- High levels of nitrates in drinking water can have adverse health effects, especially in infants and pregnant women.
- Nitrate contamination has been linked to methemoglobinemia, also known as "blue baby syndrome," which can be fatal if not treated promptly.
- Long-term exposure to nitrates in drinking water has also been associated with certain types of cancer.

Prevention and Mitigation Strategies

- Farmers can adopt precision agriculture techniques to optimize nitrogen fertilizer application and reduce excess use.
- Implementing proper irrigation and drainage systems can help minimize nitrogen leaching into groundwater.
- Regular monitoring of groundwater quality for nitrates can help identify contamination early and implement remediation measures.

In conclusion, excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers can be responsible for the presence of toxic substances, such as nitrates, in groundwater. It is crucial to adopt sustainable agricultural practices to prevent groundwater contamination and protect human health.
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Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to the question out of the four alternatives.The water cycle — technically known as the hydrological cycle — is the continuous circulation of water within the Earths hydrosphere, and is driven by solar radiation. This includes the atmosphere, land, surface water and groundwater. As water moves through the cycle, it changes state between liquid, solid, and gas phases. Water moves from compartment to compartment, such as from river to ocean, by the physical processes of evaporation, precipitation, infiltration, runoff, and subsurface flow. Movement of water within the water cycle is the subject of the field of hydrology. The water cycle is the process that all water takes. It includes precipitation which isthe falling of water in any form on Earth, infiltration which is the process in which water is absorbed into the soil (it may also flow off the surface called surface runoff) evaporation or transpiration which is either when water is heated and turns into water vapour or when plants use water and give it off as water vapour, condensation which is when the water vapour cools and forms clouds. This process is then repeated over and over again.Q. What is the aim of the writer?

Excessive use of which of the following fertilizers may be responsible for the presence of a toxic substance in groundwater?a)Nitrogenb)Phosphate onlyc)Potassium onlyd)Phosphate and potassiumCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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