Human impact on the nitrogen cycle

Humans have been having a big impact on the Nitrogen Cycle. The Nitrogen Cycle is the way nitrogen moves from the air, to land and water, and then back to the air. Nitrogen is an important part of life; it helps plants grow, and it helps animals get the nutrition they need.

Humans have changed the way nitrogen moves around in the cycle. We put nitrogen into the air by burning things like gasoline and coal. We also put nitrogen into the ground when we spread fertilizer and use other chemicals. These extra nitrogen sources can cause problems, like too much algae growth in waterways and food shortages for animals.