What are the environmental risks associated with improper nutrient management?

Improper nutrient management can lead to nutrient runoff, which is a significant environmental risk. When excess fertilizers are applied to crops and not adequately absorbed by the plants, rain or irrigation can wash these nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, into nearby waterways. This runoff contributes to water pollution, resulting in problems such as algal blooms, which deplete oxygen in the water and can lead to dead zones where aquatic life cannot survive. The resulting harm to aquatic ecosystems can have ripple effects on the food chain and biodiversity.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately reflect the consequences of improper nutrient management. While increased crop productivity, enhanced biodiversity, and higher soil fertility are positive outcomes associated with appropriate nutrient management practices, they are not outcomes of mismanagement. In fact, improper management can diminish soil health and disrupt ecological balance, ultimately harming crop yields and biodiversity rather than enhancing them.