While some believe synthetic fertilizers kill microorganisms in the soil, research indicates that most fertilizers actually stimulate microbial growth, and that the impact of synthetic fertilizers on soil microbes is generally minimal. The most notable exception is the use of anhydrous ammonia, where microbes can be killed in a localized area, but they quickly recolonize. Many studies show that synthetic fertilizers, particularly when applied correctly, don't kill microbes but rather stimulate their growth and activity. When applied properly, the addition of nitrogen, a common component of synthetic fertilizers, has minimal effects on soil microbes, soil biochemical properties, or soil structure. Anhydrous ammonia, when injected into the soil, can temporarily kill microbes in a localized area. However, these microbes quickly recolonize once the ammonia dissipates or dissolves in water. While not necessarily killing microbes, the overuse and misuse of synthetic fertilizers can lead to long-term degradation of soil biodiversity and ecosystem health. This can occur through changes in soil chemical properties, which in turn affect microbial communities.