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Which of the following are the possible consequence/s of high usage of nitrogen-based fertilizers?
Loss of soil organisms
  • Increased growth of non-native plants
  • Blue baby syndrome in human babies
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    • a)
      1 and 2 only
    • b)
      1, 2 and 3
    • c)
      2 and 3 only
    • d)
      1 and 3 only
    Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
    Most Upvoted Answer
    Which of the following are the possible consequence/s of high usage o...
    • While the addition of nitrogen to the soil may be necessary, farmers often use more than what's recommended, and over time this excess nitrogen pollutes water and air. Nitrogen at higher levels causes a loss of certain plant species, depletion of soil nutrients, death of fish and aquatic organisms, and contamination of drinking water.
    • Impacts of excessive use of nitrogen-based fertilizers: o Soil Imbalance: In the soil, too much nitrogen also creates an imbalance of nutrients that causes a depletion of other important minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. This also kills the essential soil organisms. Hence option 1 is correct.
      • Algae Growth/Eutrophication: When nitrogen levels in rivers and streams increase, they aid in algae overgrowth. As algae die and decompose, organic matter in the water increases. This process uses up oxygen, causing levels to drop. Without the oxygen, fish, crabs and other aquatic life die.
      • Plant Loss: Though nitrogen serves to aid plants in their growth, weeds and non-native plants tend to grow more readily with additional nitrogen supplies. Other plants that have lower nitrogen needs end up dying, causing a decline in native species, according to the Ecological Society of America. In California, for example, the National Science and Technology Council reports that too much nitrogen encourages the growth of non-native grasses and kills off lichens on trees. In the coastal areas of the western United States, soils have higher levels of nitrogen, which feed non-native grasses. Hence option 2 is correct.
      • Water Contamination: A soluble substance, nitrogen soaks deeply into the soil after a rainstorm or after irrigation, reaching groundwater and nearby wells. When babies under a year old and elderly people ingest water with high nitrogen levels, they can develop symptoms such as gastrointestinal swelling and irritation, diarrhoea, and protein digestion problems. These symptoms result from the condition methemoglobinemia, also called "blue baby syndrome," which occurs when nitrates mix with iron in red blood cells, leaving the blood unable to transport oxygen to the body's cells. Hence option 3 is correct.
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    Which of the following are the possible consequence/s of high usage of nitrogen-based fertilizers? Loss of soil organisms Increased growth of non-native plants Blue baby syndrome in human babies Select the correct answer using the code given below.a)1 and 2 onlyb)1, 2 and 3c)2 and 3 onlyd)1 and 3 onlyCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Which of the following are the possible consequence/s of high usage of nitrogen-based fertilizers? Loss of soil organisms Increased growth of non-native plants Blue baby syndrome in human babies Select the correct answer using the code given below.a)1 and 2 onlyb)1, 2 and 3c)2 and 3 onlyd)1 and 3 onlyCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Which of the following are the possible consequence/s of high usage of nitrogen-based fertilizers? Loss of soil organisms Increased growth of non-native plants Blue baby syndrome in human babies Select the correct answer using the code given below.a)1 and 2 onlyb)1, 2 and 3c)2 and 3 onlyd)1 and 3 onlyCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
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