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Picture:This is a picture of what is happening in the Midwest where there are numerous amounts of fertilizer runoff.
Summary:
In the Midwest, Agriculture is common. With the Agriculture Industry, the use of fertilizer is a must for a good crop. The downside to this is when it rains, the nutrient rich fertilizer over pollutes the closest bodies of water. One of the dire outcomes of nutrients pollution is the elevated level of nitrates found in the water at around 10ppm. In infants this causes illnesses and even death. In adults, problems with the thyroid can occur. It hurts those who live downstream even more because they rely on shallower wells.Efforts have been put in place but they are draining the wallets of the taxpayers. Some plants already remove the nitrates from the water but people are still at risk. Now, they are moving to install buffer zones for the fertilizer. Even though actions are being taken, this runoff still poses a threat to people living in the Mid-West.
Reflection: This problem happens in every agricultural area in the world. It is sickening that people are not aware of their actions. Fertilizer runoff can also cause Eutrophication (Algal Blooms). These blooms can remove the oxygen from the water and dispense toxins which can kill and asphyxiate marine life. These people need to be educated about pollution. Also, farms could put up berms to protect their investments in fertilizers. They may need the national government to step in.
Questions:
- How else could we reduce fertilizer pollution in rivers?
- Which methods would be the most effective for removing said pollution? Why?
- Is there anything the people can do?
- What are some other problems that could endanger these streams?
