The correct answer is: d) All of the above
Chemical fertilizers are a major source of water pollution. They can run off into waterways, where they can cause algae blooms and fish kills. They can also leach into groundwater, where they can contaminate drinking water supplies.
Chemical fertilizers can also degrade soil quality. They can make the soil more acidic, which can make it difficult for plants to grow. They can also deplete the soil of nutrients, which can make it less productive over time.
In the long term, the overuse of chemical fertilizers can lead to reduced crop yields. This is because the soil becomes less fertile and the plants become less resistant to pests and diseases.
Here are some additional details about each of the options:
- Soil degradation: Chemical fertilizers can degrade soil quality by making it more acidic and depleting it of nutrients. This can make it difficult for plants to grow and can reduce crop yields.
- Water pollution: Chemical fertilizers can run off into waterways, where they can cause algae blooms and fish kills. They can also leach into groundwater, where they can contaminate drinking water supplies.
- Reduced crop yields in the long term: The overuse of chemical fertilizers can lead to reduced crop yields in the long term. This is because the soil becomes less fertile and the plants become less resistant to pests and diseases.