A farmer applies large amounts of nitrogen fertilizer before heavy rain. Trace the environmental impacts step-by-step from the field to the ocean.
1. Fertilizer is washed off by rain
2. Nitrogen is deposited into nearby rivers/lakes
3. Excess nitrogen leads to algae blooms blocking sunlight
4. Lack of sunlight leads to the death of plants
5. Decomposers begin decomposing dead plants/algae
6. Decomposers use up large amounts of dissolved oxygen, creating hypoxic conditions.
7. Fish and organisms die off due to lack of oxygen.
8. Biodiversity decreases.
1/2