Which human agricultural practice leads to the breaking down of chemicals and nitrous oxide production?
One human agricultural practice that leads to the breaking down of chemicals and nitrous oxide production is the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers. When synthetic fertilizers are applied to agricultural fields, the nitrogen content in these fertilizers can undergo processes called nitrification and denitrification.
During nitrification, bacteria convert the ammonium (NH4+) form of nitrogen into nitrate (NO3-) form, which is more mobile and can easily leach into groundwater or runoff into water bodies. This process releases nitrous oxide (N2O) as a byproduct, which is a potent greenhouse gas and contributes to climate change.
Additionally, during denitrification, bacteria convert nitrate back into nitrogen gas (N2) under anaerobic conditions, again releasing nitrous oxide as a byproduct. This process can occur in waterlogged or saturated soils, such as those found in poorly drained agricultural fields or irrigation systems.
Therefore, the excessive application of synthetic fertilizers not only results in the breakdown of these chemicals but also contributes to the production of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas with a significant impact on global warming.