A farmer applies excess fertilizer to one of her fields just before a rainstorm. What kind of pollution is this most likely to lead to? *
Toxic
Sediment
Bacterial
Nutrient
To determine the kind of pollution that is most likely to result from the farmer applying excess fertilizer before a rainstorm, we can analyze the characteristics and effects of fertilizers.
Excess fertilizer typically contains high concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients. When it rains, the water carries these nutrients from the field into nearby water bodies such as rivers, lakes, or oceans. This process is known as nutrient runoff.
Nutrient runoff can lead to a phenomenon called eutrophication. Eutrophication occurs when excessive nutrients in the water promote the rapid growth of algae and aquatic plants. As these organisms multiply, they consume oxygen, leading to a depletion of oxygen levels in the water. This depletion can harm fish and other aquatic life, causing a condition known as hypoxia.
Considering this information, the most likely pollution resulting from the farmer's action of applying excess fertilizer before a rainstorm is nutrient pollution.