Harmful Effects of Chemical Fertilizers on Living Organisms and the Environment (Review)

Throughout the past decades, the massive application of chemical fertilizers has progressed to stratospheric proportions that have caused serious ecological and health effects to people. This overview employs a strict assessment of the complex negative impacts of these chemicals in the land and water ecosystem. There is specific emphasis on the evolution of soil acidity, impairment of microbial diversity, augmentation of osmotic stress and salinity. Nitrogen has been applied at an accelerated rate, which has led to significant rates of leaching of nitrates and contamination of the ground waters, hence, the eutrophication and poor quality of waters. Such phenomenon degrade aquatic environments and ecological structure of foods webs. More so, the excess of nitrogen generates oxidative stress and metabolic imbalances of aquatic organisms, in particular fish. At the same time, the bioaccumulation of harmful substances and excessive concentration of heavy metals, cadmium and lead in soils and crops increase the threats to the health and human and ecosystem integrity. Prolonged application of chemical fertilizers also changes the biogeochemical cycles, intensifies the toxicity of the ecology and deteriorates the overall stability of the environment. The evidence presented in the current paper highlights the necessity of undertaking a critical examination of the current method of agricultural production that involves fertilizers underlining the extent and depth of their adverse impacts on environment and biology.