Soil Nutrients and Fertilizers Lab Activity

Examine Environmental Effects of Plant Fertilizer

Because maintaining environmental health involves monitoring soil and water quality, this activity is increasingly relevant to environmental science studies. Apply students’ knowledge of soil’s physical and chemical characteristics to this activity involving nitrogen levels. Measuring the amount of nitrogen in several different soil samples, students determine the role of nitrogen in plant growth and consider the effect of excess nutrients in an ecosystem. Questions to be answered include: What caused the heightened nitrogen levels? What are the intended benefits and unintended consequences of plant fertilizers?