Clean Water Threatened - Chemical Fertilizer Pollution
What would happen if we had NO clean water?
What if we didn't have any fish?
What if's can become a reality?
Can you think of one "What If" that actually became a reality?
Our clean water supplies are being threaten by fertilizer pollution. The picture of dead fish is an eye opener. All around the world oceans, streams and rivers are being polluted by the use to toxic chemicals and fertilizers. It is time we demand a change. If we don't stand up and say we have had enough our water will continue to be polluted.
In addition, we need to be aware that every thing we put down the drain, in the garden and on our grass ends up in our water system. Think before you use toxic chemical of any sort. Our existence depends on water, clean water. Clean Water our Future
Two Articles by Priscilla Fliehmann
Chemical Fertilizers by Priscilla Fliehmann
I have a fascination with sustainable agriculture for a long time. There are many problems concerning our environment yet have we considered pollution coming from industrial conventional agriculture? Synthetic fertilizers from conventional farming runs off causing pollution in the water or air, harming marine life, lakes, streams, rivers, and contaminating our drinking water.
In addition, the EPA's current standard of maximum nitrate levels in drinking water should be 10 mg/L but levels often exceeded that every year. These chemicals reduce the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen. In most adults and children, red blood cells may rapidly return to normal, but in infants it takes much longer. Infants may develop serious health condition from lack of oxygen (Baby blue syndrome).
Excess nitrates and phosphates contribute to polluting water, algae overgrowth, depleting oxygen, and air pollution. Fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals are found in our water. Synthetic fertilizers contain nitrates and phosphorus which eventually leads to eutrophication.
Industrial agriculture contributes to eutrophication
What is eutrophication? Many would know if you took an environmental science class but for those who are not familiar, here's a simple definition: Eutrophication is a process where water receives too much nutrients that stimulate excessive plant growth.
Nutrients come from sources such as fertilizers applied to agricultural fields, golf courses, and suburban lawns. This may lead to hypoxia (low oxygen), where intensive growth of algae prevents sunlight to penetrate the water, therefore we have decreased amount of oxygen dissolved in the water, and a loss of habitat for aquatic animals and plants.
Since oxygen was depleted, marine life could not be supported. That is where we have areas in the world's ocean called dead zones. Fertilizers are primarily considered to be responsible for dead zones. For example, the notorious case in the Gulf of Mexico. Each year, billions or organisms die because of depleted oxygen, fishermen struggled because fishes were wiped out and fishermen suddenly lost work.
Fertilizers, along with pesticides used in our crops from conventional farms contributed to environmental issues. Using fertilizers to boost crop yields not only affects the water but causes soil erosion, air pollution, and other issues beyond the farm field. Synthetic fertilizers are more susceptible to leaching and runoff than organic fertilizers. Both can be over-applied so if not managed correctly, it increases pollution. However, conventional farming methods are far more damaging than organic ways. Organic methods protect soil and scientists have discovered that organic farming conserve soil quality, keeping the soil fertile in the long term.
Researchers in one study compared five pairs of conventional and organic farms in North Dakota and Nebraska. In the mid 1990, soil samples were extracted from both farms. After analyzing, organic soil contained more naturally occurring nutrients, held higher amounts of water, more earthworm activity, and microbial life than conventional soil. All of these are signs of healthy soil in which we grow our food in.
Clean Water is our future. Protect our Water Supplies!
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