1) Quarter 3 Article 1

2) Overuse of fertilizer in China leads to soil acidification


http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/41026


3) Source: enn.com Feb 18, 2010

5) Miller Chapter: 13, 18
6) Regional= China
7) The immense use of nitrogen fertilizers on Chinese farms is causing a rapid soil acidification. It is said to be causing lasting damages to the local ecosystems. Scientists from the US, UK, and China have all tested the soil and compared their results to pH levels recorded from the 1980's. They came to the conclusion of widespread soil acidification caused by nitrogen fertilizers. The soil across the country decreased about .5 over 20 but in places like Hunan, in south China, the levels were near 3 and 4. Most crops are suited for levels from 6 to 8.
8) I do not think farmers in China intended this to happen but it is a perfect example of the negative impacts that occur from tampering with the natural ecosystem. The fertilizers used were far from natural which eventually caused this devastating result.
9) nitrogen fertilizers: a macronutrient applied to crops to promote plant growth