Editing Nitrate (section)

== Human impacts on ecosystems through nitrate deposition ==
[[File:Nitrate and Phosphate Pacific Ocean.jpg|thumb|Excessive nitrate and [[phosphate]] concentrations measured in the Pacific Ocean{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}]]
Nitrate deposition into ecosystems has markedly increased due to [[Anthropogenic effect|anthropogenic]] activities, notably from the widespread application of nitrogen-rich [[fertilizer]]s in agriculture and the emissions from [[fossil fuel]] combustion.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Kanakidou M, Myriokefalitakis S, Daskalakis N, Fanourgakis G, Nenes A, Baker AR, Tsigaridis K, Mihalopoulos N | title = Past, Present and Future Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition | journal = Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences | volume = 73 | issue = 5 | pages = 2039–2047 | date = May 2016 | pmid = 32747838 | pmc = 7398418 | doi = 10.1175/JAS-D-15-0278.1 | bibcode = 2016JAtS...73.2039K }}</ref> Annually, about 195 million [[Tonne|metric tons]] of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers are used worldwide, with nitrates constituting a significant portion of this amount.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Global fertilizer consumption by nutrient 1965-2021 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/438967/fertilizer-consumption-globally-by-nutrient/ |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=Statista |language=en}}</ref> In regions with intensive agriculture, such as parts of the U.S., China, and India, the use of nitrogen fertilizers can exceed 200 kilograms per hectare.<ref name=":2" />

The impact of increased nitrate deposition extends beyond plant communities to affect [[Soil microbiology|soil microbial populations]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Li Y, Zou N, Liang X, Zhou X, Guo S, Wang Y, Qin X, Tian Y, Lin J | title = Effects of nitrogen input on soil bacterial community structure and soil nitrogen cycling in the rhizosphere soil of <i>Lycium barbarum</i> L | journal = Frontiers in Microbiology | volume = 13 | pages = 1070817 | date = 2023-01-10 | pmid = 36704567 | pmc = 9871820 | doi = 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1070817 | doi-access = free }}</ref> The change in soil chemistry and nutrient dynamics can disrupt the natural processes of [[nitrogen fixation]], [[nitrification]], and [[denitrification]], leading to altered microbial community structures and functions. This disruption can further impact the [[Nutrient cycle|nutrient cycling]] and overall [[ecosystem]] health.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Melillo JM | title = Disruption of the global nitrogen cycle: A grand challenge for the twenty-first century : This article belongs to Ambio's 50th Anniversary Collection. Theme: Eutrophication | journal = Ambio | volume = 50 | issue = 4 | pages = 759–763 | date = April 2021 | pmid = 33534057 | pmc = 7982378 | doi = 10.1007/s13280-020-01429-2 | bibcode = 2021Ambio..50..759M }}</ref>