Independent University, Bangladesh

Bashundhara R/A
DHAKA 1229

Department of Environmental Science

School of Environmental Science and Management

Topic Name: Basics of Fertilizer and its Impact on the Environment

Name of the Group: B

……….., 2014

Student Name and ID : MD. KADER KIBRIA 1410102

Course : CHE 102, Chemistry and Society

Course Faculty : Mr. Chowdhury Kamrul Hasan
Lecturer
Department of Environmental Science
School of Environmental Science and Management
Independent University, Bangladesh
E-mail: paperless.iub@gmail.com
 Topic Name
Basics of Fertilizer and its Impact on the Environment
Abstract

Fertilizer is any substance used to add nutrients to the soil to promote soil fertility
and increase plant growth. Notice how nothing in there mentions the actual soil
health; that's because not all fertilizers are made the same and not all are healthy for
the soil.

Soil health relies on a balance of macronutrients and micronutrients, as well as

microbial health. It's vastly more complicated then simply adding nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium (NPK) to the ground and calling it a day.

The biggest issue facing the use of chemical fertilizers is groundwater contamination.
Nitorgen fertilizers break down into nitrates and travel easily through the soil.
Because it is water-soluble and can remain in groundwater for decades, the addition
of more nitrogen over the years has an accumulative effect.

At the University of Wisconsin, Madison, they discovered the effects of chemical

fertilizers are compounded when mixed with a single pesticide. They discovered
altered immune, endocrine and nervous system functions in mice, as well as
influence on childen's and fetus's developing neurological, endocrine and immune
systems. These influences "portend change in ability to learn and in patterns of
aggression."73

What We Can Do About It

Knowing and understanding the effects of chemical fertilizers doesn't do us much

good without action on our part. Knowing how to protect our health is what counts.

 If you're on well-water have your water tested regularly by a reputable lab.

 Support organic and sustainable agriculture. Know your farm and your farmer
and understand their practices.

 Take part in safeguarding organic practices and standards

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Introduction
Fertilizer is any material of natural or synthetic origin (other than liming materials)
that is applied to soils or to plant tissues (usually leaves) to supply one or more plant
nutrients essential to the growth of plants. Conservative estimates report 30 to 50%
of crop yields are attributed to natural or synthetic commercial fertilizer
Fertilizers are classified in many ways. They are classified according to whether they
provide a single nutrient (say, N, P, or K), in which case they are classified as
"straight fertilizers." "Multinutrient fertilizers" (or "complex fertilizers") provide two or
more nutrients, for example N and P. Fertilizers are also sometimes classified as
inorganic (the topic of most of this article) vs organic. Inorganic fertilizers excludes
carbon-containing materials except ureas. Organic fertilizers are usually (recycled)
plant- or animal-derived matter. Inorganic are sometimes called synthetic fertilizers
since various chemical treatments are required for their manufacture .

Fertilizer variety :
Soil amendments are made by adding fertilizer to the soil but there are different
types of fertilizers. There is bulky organic fertilizer such as
1. Cow manure
2. Bat guano
3. Bone meal
4.Organic compost and
5.Green manure crops.
And then there is also chemical fertilizer which is also referred to as inorganic
fertilizer and is made up with different formulations to suit a variety of specified uses.
Though many governments and agricultural departments go to great lengths to
increase the supply of organic fertilizers, such as bulky organic manures and
composting materials, there is just not enough of these fertilizers available to meet
the existing and future fertilizer needs. Compared to organic compost, chemical or
inorganic fertilizers also have the added advantage of being less bulky. Being less
bulky makes chemical fertilizer easier to transport, both overland and from the soil
into the plants itself, because they get to be available to the plant relatively quickly

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when incorporated as part of the plant-food constituents. Chemical fertilizer usually
comes in either granular or powder form in bags and boxes, or in liquid formulations
in bottles. The different types of chemical fertilizers are usually classified according
to the three principal elements, namely Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P) and
Potassium (K), and may, therefore, be included in more than one group.

The Advantages of Using Fertilizers

In nature, decomposition of organic matter creates a natural fertilizer. Applying

organic compost or well-aged herbivore manure adds nutrient-rich organic material
to the soil, improving quality and texture. Adding organic material to the soil
increases its ability to hold water; reduces erosion from water and wind; decreases
compaction and crusting of the soil; and raises soil pH. Natural fertilizers are
chemical-free and can save you money.

• Works immediately

Inorganic fertilizers are usually given as a “rescue treatment” to plants that are
malnourished, unhealthy or even dying. Inorganic fertilizers are appropriate in this
situation because the nutrients needed by the plants are readily available. In
comparison, using an organic fertilizer would mean that the plant has to wait until the
components of the organic fertilizer have been broken down first into its primary
nutrients. By then, the plant could be dead already.

• Contains all necessary nutrients that are ready to use

Inorganic fertilizers are designed to give plants all the nutrients-Nitrogen,

Phosphorous and Potassium that they need in appropriate proportions and amounts.
Hence, plants do not get more of one can of nutrient over the other. Instead it has a
balance of all the nutrients it needs and are readily available at a given time. Adding
inorganic fertilizers into the soil to be planted makes the soil ideal for planting as it is
already enriched with nutrients.

• Affordable

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You do not have to spend much on buying an inorganic fertilizer because it is
relatively cheap. Of course, it is not as cost-effective when compared to using
compost. Yet, for the convenience that it gives you when it comes to caring for your
plants, an inorganic fertilizer is a very good deal already.

• Convenient to use

It takes awhile to make your own organic fertilizer. Though the process is relatively
easy to do, still you need to delegate enough time to do the task and wait for the
decomposition part to take place. It takes awhile. With an inorganic fertilizer, you
save a lot of time and effort. Inorganic fertilizers are quite cheap and even easier to
use and prepare. They are available at almost every gardening store.

The Disadvantages of Using Fertilizers

• Leeching happens

Inorganic fertilizers contain nutrients that have been broken down already into the
most basic of its components for easy absorption by the plants. Yet, it can also be
washed away easily when watering or irrigating the plants. This is called leeching.
Leeching happens very often as you water your plants. Hence, a lot of the fertilizer
goes to waste. Nitrogen is one of the elements that easily get washed away since it
usually settles below the roots of the plants quickly.This is called leeching, and it
happens very often. When you’re using inorganic fertilizers you need to pay special
attention to the roots of the plant when you’re watering it and not over water the area
so that you’re not encouraging the leeching of the nutrients in the soil.

• Some are not affordable

Generally, inorganic fertilizers are inexpensive. Yet, some specially formulated

inorganic fertilizers come at a cost that are considerably higher than most.

• Accumulation of toxic wastes

Inorganic fertilizers are not entirely composed of the nutrients needed by the plants.
It also contains salts and other compounds. These are not absorbed by the plants so
they are left behind in the soil and build up over time. When found in large amounts

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in the soils, these compounds can alter the chemistry of the soil that makes it less
ideal for planting. Often times, the soil needs to be neutralized using other
substances to return it to a normal state that is suitable for planting. Furthermore,
these toxic compounds may also get washed away when you water your plants and
seep into groundwater. It has been reported that the toxic wastes from fertilizers
contaminating the water we drink is bad for the health.

• Too much is not a good thing

Fertilizers are good sources of nutrients for plants. However, too much of it can also
be harmful to the plants. Applying the fertilizer directly to the plants may burn the
delicate plant structures such as the roots. This could affect the over-all development
of the plant.

Inorganic fertilizers have both good and bad points. Should you consider using them,
better maximize and the advantages and try to prevent all its avoidable
disadvantages.

Environmental Impact of Fertilizer on Soil and Water

Fertilizers contribute to the variety, abundance, and low cost of food stuffs available
to the public. However, fertilizer misuse can lower air, soil, and water quality.
Regulators are scrutinizing fertilizers now more than ever because of their impact on
the environment. This book provides an analysis of perchlorate in highly dissolved
solid matrices and health issues of trace metals in fertilizers. This book focuses on
nutrient impacts to water and the environment.

What can we do reduce negetive impacts of fertilizer

1. Reduce use of pesticides and fertilizers in lawn care. These often run off of lawns
into adjacent lakes and streams with adverse effects for the plants and animals living
there.
2. Get involved with ecological restoration in your area. Most areas have groups
active in restoration. By volunteering, you can help restore habitat for native species
and eliminate invasive species, all while learning something about your local plants

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and animals and getting active out in the fresh air. Do you own land adjacent to
ecologically sensitive areas .
3. Reduce, reuse, and recycle, with an emphasis on the first one. Ok, everyone has
heard of this, but it comes down to the “A” in the I = PAT equation. The more we can
each reduce our demand for new resources, the less habitat conversion will be
necessary to get those resources or the energy to make the products we demand,
and the less waste goes into the landfill.
4. Composting both reduces the overall waste stream and thereby the need for
landfill space, and it provides natural slow-release fertilizer for your flower or
vegetable garden. As we say when cleaning out our fridge of all those moldy
leftovers, “Eat it next year!”.
5. Use environmentally friendly products for cleaning. This reduces chemical
contamination of habitats both during manufacturing and when those chemicals go
down
the drain.
Fertilizer In Market

Results

Conclusion

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References

1. http://www.acron.ru/en/sustainability/environment/impact/
2. http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/effects-of-chemical-fertilizers.html
3. http://fire.biol.wwu.edu/hooper/10thingsforbiodiversity.pdf
4. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/advantages-disadvantages-natural-chemical-
fertlilzers-30247.html
5. https://www.organicfacts.net/organic-cultivation/benefits-of-organic-
fertilizers.html

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