Brian Barton
Agriculture has a profound effect on the planet, and farmers contribute to pollution in several ways. Farmers routinely use pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, and fungicides to keep away unwanted weeds, insects, rodents, and fungi. These toxic chemicals have serious side effects, including endocrine, neurological, and hormonal disorders, as well as cancer. Pesticides are routinely detected in 88% of streams and rivers, and more than 90% of Americans have pesticides in their bodies. Additionally, farmers apply chemical fertilizers and animal manure to fields to provide crops with the necessary nitrogen and phosphorus for growth. However, when not fully utilized by plants, these nutrients can be lost from fields and negatively impact air and water quality, causing eutrophication and harmful algal blooms. High levels of manure and fertilizer from the Mississippi River, for example, create a recurring dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. Furthermore, industrial farming operations contribute to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, with limited regulations in place to protect nearby communities from the adverse effects on health and the local economy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution | Ammonia emissions, hydrogen sulfide, methane emissions, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, pesticides |
| Water pollution | Nitrogen, phosphorus, fertilizer, manure, pesticides, antibiotics, vaccines, growth promoters |
| Soil pollution | Soil erosion, nutrient loss |
| Water quality impacts | Leading cause of rivers and streams quality impact, third-leading source for lakes, second-largest source of impairments for wetlands |
| Crop production | Ground-level ozone pollution, lower crop yields, damaged crops |
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What You'll Learn
Fertilizer and manure runoff
Fertilizers and manures are essential for crop production, providing the nitrogen and phosphorus necessary to grow and produce food. However, when not managed properly, they can cause agricultural runoff, a leading cause of water quality impacts to rivers and streams, the third-leading source for lakes, and the second-largest source of impairments to wetlands.
The effects of fertilizer and manure runoff can be widespread and severe. Increased levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in water can cause eutrophication, leading to hypoxic ("dead zones") conditions that are harmful to aquatic life. For example, the Gulf of Mexico dead zone, an area of over 6,000 square miles where oxygen levels are too low to support marine life, is primarily driven by agricultural runoff. Fertilizer and manure runoff can also cause harmful algal blooms, which can produce toxins harmful to humans and wildlife and deplete oxygen in surface waters.
To mitigate the impacts of fertilizer and manure runoff, farmers can implement various conservation practices, also known as best management practices (BMPs). These include ensuring year-round ground cover by planting cover crops or perennial species to prevent periods of bare ground susceptible to erosion and nutrient loss. Planting field buffers of trees, shrubs, and grasses along field edges, especially those bordering water bodies, can also help absorb or filter out nutrients before they reach water bodies. Implementing conservation tillage by reducing the frequency and intensity of tilling can improve soil health, reduce erosion, and decrease the chance of nutrients reaching waterways through runoff. Additionally, keeping livestock and their waste away from water sources can help prevent the contamination of nitrogen and phosphorus into the water.
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Pesticide use
Pesticides are essential in agricultural production, helping to control weeds and insects, and increasing yields. However, they can also be toxic to other organisms, including birds, fish, insects, and plants, as well as air, water, soil, and crops.
Pesticides are used to kill pests and control weeds using chemical ingredients. These chemicals can be toxic to non-target organisms and can contaminate the environment. Improper pesticide usage and management can lead to environmental pollution, including soil, water, and air pollution, and food contamination.
Pesticide contamination can move away from the target plants, impacting other areas of the environment. For example, pesticide runoff from agricultural fields can enter nearby streams, rivers, and groundwater, posing risks to aquatic life, wildlife that eats fish, and drinking water supplies. High levels of pesticides in water can also cause eutrophication, leading to hypoxic "dead zones" that kill fish and decrease aquatic life.
Additionally, climate change-related factors impact pesticide application, resulting in increased pesticide usage and pollution. Groundwater pollution due to pesticides is a worldwide problem, and once groundwater is contaminated, it can be very difficult and costly to clean up.
Some specific examples of the impacts of pesticide use on the environment include:
- A study found that the herbicide 2,4-D was the most commonly found pesticide in urban streams, and that both the insecticide diazinon and the herbicide 2,4-D were found at levels exceeding the concentrations recommended to protect aquatic life.
- Glyphosate-containing products have been found to cause erratic swimming and labored breathing in fish, increasing their chance of being eaten.
- River dolphin populations are dwindling due to various threats, including chemical pollution from pesticides and other chemicals.
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Ammonia emissions
Agriculture is a significant contributor to air pollution, with food production responsible for a quarter of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. Among the various ways farmers cause pollution, ammonia emissions stand out as a major concern. Atmospheric ammonia (NH3) released from agricultural activities is a leading cause of air pollution and has significant implications for both the environment and human health.
Ammonia (NH3) contributes significantly to acidification, and its presence in the atmosphere has negative consequences for human health. While the direct impact of NH3 on the general public's health is under-represented in scientific literature, studies indicate that it adversely affects the respiratory health of those who handle livestock. Exposure to NH3 can lead to reduced lung function, irritation of the throat and eyes, and increased coughing and phlegm expulsion.
In addition to its direct health effects, ammonia is a substantial contributor to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). It accounts for the formation of 30% of PM2.5 in the US and 50% in Europe. PM2.5 can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing chronic respiratory illnesses, lung cancer, and even premature mortality. The economic losses associated with PM2.5 amount to billions of dollars annually for the global economy.
Agricultural practices, such as fertilizer use, animal manure, and soil erosion, are key sources of ammonia emissions. When nitrogen and phosphorus from these sources are not fully utilized by growing plants, they can be lost from farm fields, impacting air and water quality. High levels of nitrogen and phosphorus can cause eutrophication of water bodies, leading to hypoxic conditions that are harmful to aquatic life and ecosystems.
To mitigate ammonia emissions, farmers can adopt various conservation practices. These include ensuring year-round ground cover with cover crops or perennial species, implementing field buffers with trees and shrubs, and reducing the frequency and intensity of tilling. By addressing ammonia emissions, we can reduce ambient PM2.5 levels, protect human health, and work towards cleaner air for all.
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Water pollution
Agriculture is a major cause of water pollution, accounting for 70% of water withdrawals worldwide. Farms discharge large quantities of agrochemicals, organic matter, drug residues, sediments, and saline drainage into water bodies. This includes the use of pesticides, which can pose risks to aquatic life, fish-eating wildlife, and drinking water supplies. Increased levels of nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizer and manure can stimulate algal blooms in lakes and rivers, leading to hypoxic conditions that are harmful to aquatic life.
Agricultural runoff is a significant contributor to water pollution, impacting rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands. Soil erosion, nutrient loss, bacteria from livestock manure, and pesticides are primary stressors on water quality. These contaminants can be transported into local streams, rivers, and groundwater through runoff, infiltration, and irrigation return flows. Climate factors, such as rainfall and snowmelt, also play a role in transporting pollutants to surface waters.
On-farm practices in crop production, livestock, and aquaculture are vital for preventing pollution. Management measures include limiting and optimizing the type, amount, and timing of fertilizer and pesticide applications. Establishing protection zones along surface watercourses and buffer zones around farms can effectively reduce pollution migration into water bodies. Efficient irrigation schemes can also reduce water return flows, minimizing the migration of fertilizers and pesticides.
The use of non-conventional water sources, such as wastewater, in agriculture can lead to the accumulation of microbiological and chemical pollutants in crops, livestock products, and soil and water resources. This can have severe health impacts on consumers and farm workers, as well as exacerbate antimicrobial resistance. However, if adequately treated and safely applied, wastewater can be a valuable source of water and nutrients, contributing to food security and livelihood improvement.
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Air pollution
Agriculture is a significant contributor to air pollution, with food production responsible for a quarter of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. The main sources of agricultural air pollution are ammonia, methane, nitrous oxide, and hydrogen sulfide. Ammonia is a colourless gas produced in animal metabolism and excreted through waste. It is also a synthetic compound used as a fertiliser. The EPA estimates that nearly three-quarters of the country's ammonia pollution comes from livestock facilities. Ammonia emissions combine with nitrogen oxides and sulfates from vehicles, power plants, and industrial processes to create tiny solid particles or aerosols, which can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing heart and pulmonary disease.
Methane is a by-product of enteric fermentation in livestock and is also released from manure. Cattle are the largest source of methane emissions, followed by pig and chicken operations. Methane emissions contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, which can damage crops and reduce yields. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), ground-level ozone pollution created by fuel burning and chemical use will reduce staple crop yields by 26% by 2030.
Nitrous oxide is another significant greenhouse gas emitted by agricultural activities, particularly livestock operations and fertiliser use. Nitrous oxide contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer and has a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide.
Hydrogen sulfide is a heavy gas that hangs low to the ground unless blown away by the wind. It is released in high concentrations when manure lagoons are stirred to re-suspend solid waste. Exposure to hydrogen sulfide can cause dizziness, nausea, and even death in high doses.
In addition to these gases, agricultural activities also release particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, pesticides, and other airborne pollutants. Particulate matter refers to solid or liquid particles found in the air, some of which are large enough to be seen, such as soot or smoke, while others are so small they can only be detected with an electron microscope. These fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems.
Agricultural burning, such as the burning of arable stubble in fields, also contributes to air pollution by releasing pollutants into the atmosphere.
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Frequently asked questions
Farmers use large volumes of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to increase agricultural yields. When these chemicals are not fully utilized by the growing plants, they can be washed from farm fields and into waterways during rain and snow, causing water pollution.
Fugitive pesticide emissions, burning fossil fuels to power farm machinery, and the application of large-scale animal waste can subject farm workers and nearby communities to harmful odors and other types of air pollution.
Humans may be exposed to potentially toxic pesticides through the food they consume, resulting in adverse health effects. These chemicals can cause chronic diseases such as endocrine (hormone) and neurological disorders and cancer.
Agricultural pollution can kill local wildlife and contaminate drinking water sources. It can also cause eutrophication of water bodies, leading to hypoxia ("dead zones") and a decrease in aquatic life.
Farmers can adopt regenerative agriculture strategies such as improving soil health through planting cover crops, reducing the frequency and intensity of tilling, and improving water quality by planting streamside buffer crops. Implementing protection zones along water bodies and efficient irrigation schemes can also help reduce pollution migration.
