Fertilizers, a Boon to Agriculture, Pose Growing Threat to U.S. Waterways (Published 2017) (2024)

FAQs

Fertilizers, a Boon to Agriculture, Pose Growing Threat to U.S. Waterways (Published 2017)? ›

Excess nitrogen from the fertilizers can cause eutrophication in the ocean, which can lead to harmful algae blooms or hypoxia — reduced levels of oxygen that create conditions in which organisms can't survive.

High levels of nitrogen and phosphorus can cause eutrophication of water bodies. Eutrophication can lead to hypoxia (“dead zones”), causing fish kills and a decrease in aquatic life.

Fertilizers are made of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. When it rains, these nutrients are carried by storm-water into the nearest stream, river, or other water body. Too many nutrients in water can cause algae to grow, which uses up the oxygen in the water.

Fertilizer runoff causes coastal algae to proliferate; the algae take most of the oxygen in the water, causing fish to die and disrupting the food chain for humans and other organisms. As coastal populations keep increasing, the stresses are increasing with them.

Fertilizer production risks explosions and fires, notably with ammonia and nitrate-based fertilizers. Mitigate by safe storage, monitoring, specialized equipment use, and rigorous staff training. Regular inspections, preventive maintenance, and regulatory compliance are vital for a secure production environment.

Some of these impacts include algae blooms causing the depletion of oxygen in surface waters, pathogens and nitrates in drinking water, and the emission of odors and gases into the air. Nutrients from manure and fertilizers enter lakes and streams through runoff and soil erosion.

Synthetic fertilizers are known to contribute to greenhouse gas levels, cause issues with aquatic life, reduce soil fertility and attract pests. Further, chemical-based fertilizers can be harmful to children and animals and should be used with caution on lawns and gardens that are easily accessed by kids and pets.

The usage of organic fertilizers results in the discharge of nitrate, potassium and phosphates that pollute the water . The contamination of groundwater occurs as a result of leaching due to nitrate. The ground and surface waters are infested with heavy metals, whose concentration poses a threat to humans and animals.

Excess nitrogen can damage delicate plant species, unbalancing the ecosystem. Most plants cannot tolerate synthetic fertilisers or high levels of nitrogen. Nitrogen pollution causes nitrogen-tolerant species to thrive and outcompete more sensitive wild plants and fungi.

Chemical fertiliser overuse can contribute to soil acidification and soil crust, thereby reducing the content of organic matter, humus content, beneficial species, stunting plant growth, altering the pH of the soil, growing pests, and even leading to the release of greenhouse gases.

How does fertilizer get into the rivers? ›

During rain storms, water running off lawns picks up excess fertilizer on the ground and carries it down storm drains, which often lead directly to streams, rivers, lakes, and bays. Fertilizer that finds its way into our waterways fuels the too rapid and harmful growth of algae and other aquatic plant life.

Each year farmers apply millions of tons of manufactured fertilizer, of which 40-80 percent is lost to the environment. Unfortunately, fertilizer run-off that ends up in lakes, rivers, and estruaries can lead to eutrophication, which is harmful to the ecosystem.

Excess fertilizer alters the soil by creating too high of a salt concentration, and this can hurt beneficial soil microorganisms. Over- fertilization can lead to sudden plant growth with an insufficient root system to supply adequate water and nutrients to the plant.

Environmental Issues

One of the problems with chemical fertilizers is they seep through the soil into the groundwater and other water sources, leading to contamination. Now, NPK in small quantities is non-toxic, but a lot can kill the balance of nature in various ways. Nitrogen is especially tricky.

The most common yet most hazardous fertilizer is anhydrous ammonia.

Improper application or excessive use of fertilizers can lead to runoff, where rainwater or irrigation water carries the excess nutrients into nearby water bodies. This runoff can contribute to water pollution, causing algae blooms, oxygen depletion, and harm to aquatic ecosystems.

One of the problems with chemical fertilizers is they seep through the soil into the groundwater and other water sources, leading to contamination. Now, NPK in small quantities is non-toxic, but a lot can kill the balance of nature in various ways. Nitrogen is especially tricky.

Nitrate Poisoning

If fertilizer nutrients like nitrates make it into the drinking water supply, they can have particularly severe adverse health impacts on infants. It's not uncommon for nitrates to contaminate local drinking water.

Only recently has scientific evidence emerged to assess the health impacts of drinking water with high nitrate on adults. A growing body of literature indicates potential associations between nitrate/nitrite exposure and other health effects such as increased heart rate, nausea, headaches, and abdominal cramps.

Answer: Excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides in fields can lead to their seepage into the ground and mixing with ground water. They can also be washed away with rain and carried to water bodies, where they can contaminate the water and the aquatic animals, especially fish.