Fertilizers have been used by farmers for centuries because they contain pant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Fertilizers are intended to put nutrients back into soil so that plants can get what they need from it. Organic matter fertilizers are naturally made from animal excrement, animal matter, blood, flesh, bones, horns, and even decomposed vegetation. Now fertilizers are of a mineral origin, meaning that they come from nitrogen, phosphates, and potassium salts and salts containing other elements. Fertilizers also have a higher nutrient content than organic matter.
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There are many causes of fertilizer leaching into water sources. Some of these causes include:
An Algal bloom is a rapid increase in the amount of algae in a body if water. This often causes colour change and build up of coloured slime on the surface of water. Under the right conditions, algae can grow out of control and can produce toxins that kill fish, mammals, and birds and may cause human illness and even death in severe cases. Most algae is nontoxic however they do eat up all of the oxygen in a body of water as they decay. This can clog the gills of fish as well as smother corals and aquatic vegetation. Others can form huge smelly piles on beaches and can contaminate drinking water. These bad algae’s take all of the oxygen out of water and leave nothing for other wildlife.
- Improper application
- Improper mixing of soil and fertilizers
- Rainwater runoff
An Algal bloom is a rapid increase in the amount of algae in a body if water. This often causes colour change and build up of coloured slime on the surface of water. Under the right conditions, algae can grow out of control and can produce toxins that kill fish, mammals, and birds and may cause human illness and even death in severe cases. Most algae is nontoxic however they do eat up all of the oxygen in a body of water as they decay. This can clog the gills of fish as well as smother corals and aquatic vegetation. Others can form huge smelly piles on beaches and can contaminate drinking water. These bad algae’s take all of the oxygen out of water and leave nothing for other wildlife.
The Canadian Food Inspection agency is one of the leading regulators in fertilizers around the globe. They have enforced rules such as labeling all fertilizers and ensuring that the chemicals used in the fertilizers can be used as a stand alone as well as with another fertilizer program. They also enforce the rule that any created fertilizers cannot cause damage to unintended plants or animals.
Alternative technologies used in the place of fertilizers
Alternative technologies used in the place of fertilizers
- Coffee grounds
- Eggshells
- Compost
- Wood ash
- Legumes
- Orange peels
- Other biodegradable food sources