The environment is an inseparable part of our life, we live and prosper on it. We must adjust to it to survive on Earth and are therefore dependent on it. But in a world that is market based and has a focus on productivity, the environment and nature have been abused. This has resulted in a range of pollutions that are affecting not only the Earth but its inhabitants that could pose very dire future consequences. One of America’s most prevalent environmental problems is nutrient pollution. Nitrogen and phosphorus occur naturally in soil and water and are the principle chemicals that enhance growth in plants. However, they are also added to the environment by humans, primarily as fertilizers, and these excess chemicals can grow plants on both land and water faster than the ecosystem can handle. This poses the question as to whether the government should regulate the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus occurring in our ecosystem. …show more content…
Not only does it pose an environmental concern but also carries health risks. Nutrient pollution has come to be a costly challenge to repair with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expending a lot of monetary resources to offer water filtration. The EPA has awarded grants with numbers as high as 4 billion dollars for non-profit organizations, research centers, and state governments to conduct more investigations to provide more viable solutions (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2018). Although others might think excess nutrients to be a necessary evil. Production of food and crops in turn prove to be very beneficial to the economy. Use of chemical fertilizers is very inexpensive and people often believe because commercial and consumer fertilizers are strictly regulated by state and government that they are safe for people and surrounding
When concerning our drinking water it should be considered that pathogenic organisms may contaminate soil, as well as stick on to the sediments in the surrounding area; making it more tricky to clear completely. Nitrate poisoning is another large concern,
The use of the vignette creates a sense of dirtiness and corruption that alludes to the main purpose of the chapter—water pollution. Glennon claims that “water pollution is an acute national problem that threatens our existing water supply” (76). Existing problems that the author discusses in his chapter include: the collection of sewage and storm water in a single collection system, nitrogen fertilizer, and animal feeding operations. Robert Glennon effectively validates his
Nutrient-loading will increase the dissolved oxygen, which high levels will harm aquatic life and affect the water quality. Fish and other species will
However, an overabundance of some nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, impairs water quality. “Agriculture is the largest source of pollution to the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams.” quotes the Washington Post (Baker, 2015). About 50% of phosphorus and 40% of nitrogen dumped into the bay stems from agricultural runoff. According to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, “Each year, roughly 300 million pounds of polluting nitrogen reaches the Chesapeake Bay—about six times the amount that reached the bay in the 1600s.”(cfb.org). The major sources of the excess nutrients comes from over fertilization of crops with animal manure seeping into waterways, and animals having direct access to waters where waste is carried into the watershed (Baker, 2015).
Essentially, our focus on growth is killing our plant (McKibben 18). The problem is that the health of the economy is seen as a more pressing issue than the health of the environment. “A single-minded focus increasing the wealth has driven the planet’s ecological system to the brink of failure, without making us happier” (McKibben 42).
Farmers began to grow their crops in San Joaquin Valley for more than 100 years. Farms in the valley produce mostly vegetables, fruits, nuts, and dairy and they are the main manufacturers in international markets and major suppliers in the United States (Hanak & Arnold, 2017). Farmers are using polluted groundwater to grow their crops and harming the environment by drying rivers and causing people to get health problems. The reason that there are pesticides in nitrates in groundwater in San Joaquin Valley may be the fact that there is a long history of farming and irrigation and generally permeable sediments (Burow & Dubrowvsky, 2014). The first organization that noticed the growth of nitrates in groundwater is the Regional Aquifier System Analyses Program.
It is not uncommon to hear about pollution today in America? When we watch our television there are always broadcast about oil spills and poor air quality, and how their are communities suffering from these pollutants. It is easy to watch the screen and think,” Wow! I am so glad we are not in that situation”. But the truth is contrary to this statement, there are harmful toxins being released into everyone’s community that often go unnoticed by residents in the area.
All of this pollution is making it hard to keep people safe considering the water is unsafe to drink or even swim in. Factories using the water do not know that the water is
As farmers have to mass produce in order to supply for the growing population today, fertilizer is essential to improve the quality and growth of the
Negative Effects of Ocean Pollution “Each day, oil used to lubricate engines and to power the vessel leaks into the ocean” (Wroble 44). When the residue enters the ocean, it begins to affect the environment and animals. This is just one of the many problems from ocean pollution. “According to Worldwatch research associate Peter Weber, 80 to 90 percent of all of the materials dumped at sea are dredgings...
Too much chemicals in the water like lead, sulfur, chloride and fluoride can cause birth defects, cancer, Flu like symptoms. The chemicals in the water are supposed to provide a level of sanitation to the water. The issue with this though is that the chemicals added cannot be taken out of the water people drink. Every community has a water sample chart for what goes into their water. This was create by the federal government to provide the population with info about what is in the water.
Farmers recognize the importance of protecting the natural environment for future produce and farmers use manure, or composted manure as fertilizer for crops which reduces, or eliminates the need for commercial fertilizers and chemicals. They try to conserve water, no hormones are administered to animals, and sustainable farms sell their product locally through farmer’s markets, local stores, or community supported agriculture (CSA) programs, preventing environmental damage and human health problems caused by transportation-generated pollution. Sustainable farms support local economies by purchasing
Pollution may be a threat, but it can be solved in our
Water pollution is a serious issue as not only is water the most precious natural resource, but all sources of water support life that is very necessary for the survival of the planet. Water pollution destroys life and ecology and such damage is irreparable. Those who are still not serious about water pollution must also remember that the pollutants present in water not only destroy the life in the rivers and oceans, but also affect our food chain. Many people have the wrong notion that since they are not disposing the pollutants in the water they are not to blame. These people forget that 70% of the earth is covered by water, and any activity on the land can wash to the seas and oceans.
Fertilizers remove the nutrients of the soil damaging the soil and the local environment and after being mixed with the soil, gradually reduce the fertility of the soil. In the study of (Southland) using fertilizers consists of substances and chemicals like methane, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and nitrogen, the emission of which has contributed to a great extent in the quantity of greenhouse gases present in the environment. These facts are alarming and a serious step needs to be taken as soon as possible to avoid more severe consequences. This in turn is leading to global warming and weather changes. The use of fertilizers for growth and cultivation is keeping our stomach filled for now, but then if things keep on progressing the way they are, it won’t take long to see the times where there is lack of food, water, and health.