In response to an increased food demand, agricultural production relies heavily on the use of fertilizers to increase overall crop productivity. These fertilizers contain high amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen, which result in excess amounts of nutrients entering the soil. The nutrients that are not absorbed by the plant leach of the soil and enter freshwater systems, such as rivers. These nutrients can continue on and end up in lakes, and marine ecosystems, and can result in eutrophication.[1]
- ^ Huang, Jing; Xu, Chang-chun; Ridoutt, Bradley; Wang, Xue-chun; Ren, Pin-an (August 2017). "Nitrogen and phosphorus losses and eutrophication potential associated with fertilizer application to cropland in China". Journal of Cleaner Production. 159: 171–179. Retrieved 23 October 2017.