Synthetic Fertilizers

Question

Synthetic Fertilizers

Connie learns that fertilizer is a natural or synthetic substance added to soil to help plants grow. Fertilizers help the plants grow by increasing the nutrient levels in soil. For most of human history, people have used natural fertilizers, such as manure (animal waste) and compost (food scraps). However, in the late 1800s, people began to make and use synthetic fertilizers. Synthetic fertilizers are made by combining natural substances together. Often, the raw materials used to make fertilizer are made using chemical reactions. The manufacture of one type of synthetic fertilizer is described below.

Synthetic Fertilizer Manufacture

Step 1: Grind (granulate) the raw materials into small pieces.

Step 2: Mix the granulated raw materials together to make the fertilizer product (see below).



Connie finds information on the Internet about synthetic fertilizer. She summarizes the information from two sources as shown below.

Source 1: Regional San Francisco News Website

Title of article: The Effects of Synthetic Fertilizers

Purpose of article: To provide news

Summary About Synthetic Fertilizer

- Adds nutrients to soil immediately (does not need to be broken down by soil first, like manure, for example) therefore helps unhealthy plants more quickly than natural fertilizers

- Runoff from farm fields causes water pollution and is toxic to fish and other stream organisms

- Kills beneficial microorganisms in the soil that are an important part of nutrient cycling

- Results in vegetable plants that are lacking iron, protein, vitamin C, and other important nutrients

- Easy to use and available to buy in many stores

Source 2: Organic Composting Company Website

Title of article: 5 Things Manufacturers of Synthetic Fertilizers Do Not Want You to Know

Purpose of article: To sell organic compost as lawn fertilizer to homeowners

Summary About Synthetic Fertilizer

- Causes health issues for children and pets

- Provides grass with a quick shot of nutrients, but harms the grass in the long term

- 99% of people use more fertilizer than they need and the rest runs off into the water supply

- Helps grass look green and healthy quickly

Constructed Response Question

A. Based on the information in Source 1 and Source 2, describe one positive AND one negative impact that synthetic fertilizers likely have on society.

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Constructed Response Question

B. Explain why one of the sources may have some bias in the information listed on its website. Provide evidence for your explanation.

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Answer 1

Constructed Response Question A

Positive Impact: One positive impact of synthetic fertilizers on society is their ability to provide immediate nutrients to plants, which helps unhealthy plants recover more quickly compared to natural fertilizers. Source 1 highlights this benefit, noting that synthetic fertilizers do not need to be broken down by soil first, making them effective for rapid plant growth and recovery.

Negative Impact: A negative impact of synthetic fertilizers is their contribution to environmental pollution. Source 1 mentions that runoff from farm fields causes water pollution, which is toxic to fish and other stream organisms. This pollution not only disrupts aquatic ecosystems but also poses a serious threat to biodiversity and water quality.

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Constructed Response Question B

One of the sources may have some bias in the information it presents. For example, Source 2, from the Organic Composting Company, is likely biased because its purpose is to sell organic compost as an alternative to synthetic fertilizers. This commercial interest can lead to the selective presentation of negative aspects of synthetic fertilizers to promote their own product.

Evidence for this bias is found in the way Source 2 emphasizes health issues posed by synthetic fertilizers for children and pets and states that 99% of people use more fertilizer than needed, implying irresponsible usage without considering the diverse practices of fertilizer application in agriculture. The source downplays or omits any positive aspects of synthetic fertilizers, such as their effectiveness in quickly providing nutrients to plants, which may not align with the company’s goal of promoting organic alternatives.