Are Fertilizers Harmful to the Environment?

Crops

While beneficial to agriculture and gardening, fertilizers are often very damaging to the environment. Two main components of fertilizers, nitrogens and phosphorus, are most damaging to the environment. Proper use of fertilizers helps minimize the damage.

Fertilizer and Pollution

The majority of fertilizer-based environmental damage is through runoff (flows from the treated surface into a lake or river) or leaching (flows downward from the surface).

Runoff

Dam near farm

Runoff pollution can travel a great distance via streams, drainage ditches and rivers.

Leaching

Pesticides and fertilizers that leach downward through the soil sometimes reach the groundwater.

Excess Fertilization

Crops under water

When too much fertilizer is applied to a crop, garden or lawn, excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus end up in the sewer and eventually in our lakes and streams.

Algae Blooms

Dead fish

Algae feed on the excess nitrogen and phosphorus and bloom in rivers, streams and ponds. The algae consume oxygen in the water choking fish to death and resulting in significant fish kills. The fish kills result in hundreds of seasonal dead-zones around the world, according to "Scientific American."

Blue Babies

Healthy baby

Excess nitrogen in drinking water contributes to the "blue baby" syndrome in babies under 1 year old, says the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, part of the North Carolina state university system. One of the diseases causing blue baby syndrome is Methemoglobinemia. Blood in such infants is unable to carry oxygen, and the condition can lead to death.

References

• "Environmental Protection Agency: Surface and Groundwater"
• "Scientific American: Agricultural Breakthrough--And Environmental Bane"
• "North Carolina Cooperative Extension: Environmental Concerns With Fertilizer Use"