Nigrogen basics
What gas makes up most of Earth's atmosphere?
Nitrogen (N2)
What do farmers add to soil to help crops grow?
Nitrogen fertilizer.
Which sphere contains the air and gases surrounding Earth?
Atmosphere
What human activity commonly adds extra nitrogen soil?
Using fertilizer
Why is nitrogen important to living things?
It helps organisms make proteins and DNA.
What can happen when too much fertilizer washes into a lake or river?
It can cause water pollution and algal blooms.
Which sphere includes soil, rocks, and minerals?
Geophere.
What can happen when excess nitrogen fertilizer runs into lakes and rivers?
It can cause water pollution and blooms.
Can plants directly use gas from the atmosphere?
No. It must first be changed into a usable form.
How can fertilizer runoff affect aquatic life?
It can cause algae to grow rapidly and reduce oxygen in the water, which can harm aquatic organisms.
Which sphere includes plants, animals, and other living organisms?
Biosphere.
What is algal broom?
Rapid growth of algea caused by excess nutrients such as nitrogen.
What does the nitrogen cycle describe?
The movement of nitrogen through the atmosphere, soil, water, and living organisms.
Name one way humans can reduce excess nitrogen from entering waterways.
Less fertilizer, apply fertilizer correctly, or use plants/buffer strips to reduce runoff.
Which sphere includes Earth's water, such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater?
Hydrosphere
Name one way humans can reduce nitrogen pollution.
Use fertilizer carefully, reduce fertilizer runoff, or use plants/buffer strips to absorb excess nutrients.