Fertilser Industry

Introduction

Throughout this project I will be researching different minerals and their sources and their functions in plants and in humans.

I will research fertilisers and the minerals that go into it. I will found out he history and sources of these minerals and as well as the processes used to extract them.

I will look into eutrophication and its causes, effects and precautions and how fertilisers affect humans and the environment.

Three essential nutrients and their source for plants

Carbon ( C ), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) are three essential nutrients plants need. Plants absorb these thee nutrients either by the root as H2O or as atmospheric CO2 and O2.Through solar energy plants transform CO2 and H2O into starch and sugar during photosynthesis.

Three primary nutrients and their source for plants

Primary nutrients can also be called macronutrients, these are nutrients needed in large quantities in order to grow and survive. These nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). These nutrients can also written in a shorter way as N: P: K. They are depleted first and must be replenished by fertilisers.

* Nitrogen: animal manure is a good source of nitrogen and a while ago guano which is bird dung was used.

* Phosphorus: plants absorb phosphorous as phosphates either as rock phosphate Ca5(PO4)3F, bone meal, guano, or fish meal.

* Potassium: plants absorb potassium as potassium salts and is in potash.

Rock phosphate

Guano

Function of N, P and K in plants

* Nitrogen: The function of Nitrogen in plants it to promote the growth of leaves and strong stems. It is needed in all metabolic processes that transfer energy, all proteins and enzymes. Nitrogen helps plants with the increase of seed and fruit production, it improves leave quality and assists with fast plant growth. Nitrogen also is part of chlorophyll which is needed for photosynthesis.

* Phosphorous: phosphorous is essential for photosynthesis and is...