Which of the following adds/add nitrogen to the soil? 1. Excretion of urea by animals 2. Burning of coal by man 3. Death of vegetation Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

QUESTION

Medium

Environment & Ecology

Prelims 2013

Which of the following adds/add nitrogen to the soil?

Excretion of urea by animals
Burning of coal by man
Death of vegetation

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

Excretion of urea by animals - Correct: Urea (CO(NH₂)₂) contains nitrogen. When animals excrete urea, microbes in the soil convert it into ammonia, and later into nitrates and nitrites — forms usable by plants. Thus, urea adds nitrogen to the soil indirectly.

Burning of coal by man - Incorrect: Burning coal releases nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) into the atmosphere, not into the soil. These contribute to air pollution and acid rain, not direct soil enrichment.

Death of vegetation - Correct: When plants die, their tissues decompose. Decomposers (bacteria and fungi) break down organic matter, releasing nitrogen compounds back into the soil. Hence, this process adds nitrogen to the soil naturally.

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