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Environment & Ecology2015
What can be the impact of excessive/inappropriate use of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture?
  1. Proliferation of nitrogen fixing microorganisms in soil
  2. Increase in the acidity of soil can take place.
  3. Leaching of nitrate to the groundwater can occur.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

Explanation

The correct option is 2 and 3 only because excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers can lead to increased soil acidity due to the accumulation of ammonium ions, which can displace calcium and magnesium ions, resulting in a lower pH. Additionally, high levels of nitrogen can contribute to nitrate leaching into groundwater, posing environmental risks such as water pollution and eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems. Thus, while nitrogen-fixing microorganisms may thrive in nitrogen-rich environments, their proliferation is not a direct negative consequence of fertilizer overuse, making options 2 and 3 the accurate concerns related to agricultural practices.

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