what is the role of human activity in nitrogen pollution?

Answer 1

Humans play a significant role in nitrogen pollution. Here in the United States our large interior agricultural region uses nitrogen rich fertilizer to improve yields on crops. As this runs off into streams and rivers it is carried down the Mississippi River and other major systems toward the ocean.

This freshwater floats on top of the more dense salt water in the ocean. Since the fresh water is rich in nitrogen and other nutrients, large algae blooms form. When that algae dies and decomposes it falls to the bottom of the ocean. The decay process removes oxygen from the water driving out fish and other organisms. This creates a large deadzone in the Gulf of Mexico where nothing can live or grow.

You can learn more at a website I helped work on about this very subject:
http://www.smm.org/deadzone/

Answer 2

Nitrogen pollution is a very slight problem and washes out of the air easily. NO2 is a natural fertilizer that GOD uses all over. It is created in nature every time it lightening. The tremendous heat oxidizes the Nitrogen.

Answer 3

Nitrogen by itself it not a pollutant. The various nitrogen oxides are produced mainly by automobiles.

Answer 4

One big effect is that small lakes and ponds are being altered. The process is called eutrification. A simplified explanation is that over time plants that grow in lakes die and decompose in the lake. This decomposed material begins fill in the lake and eventually it becomes completely filled in. It is a natural process however the increased nitrogen accelerates the plant growth and speeds the process.

Answer 5

using things like synthetic fertilizer, that introduce an overdose of nitrogen into the soil cycle, thus throwing off the balance of the entire situation.

Answer 6

None, the air already contains 80 percent nitrogen.