Minimizing Phosphorus Pollution: Strategies For A Sustainable Future

Phosphorus is an essential element for plant life, but when there is too much of it in water, it can cause eutrophication, a process that reduces dissolved oxygen in water bodies and creates dead zones where fish and other aquatic species cannot survive. Phosphorus pollution in water bodies is caused by agricultural fertilizers, manure, sewage, and industrial effluent. To reduce phosphorus pollution, individuals can keep organic matter like leaves and grass clippings off streets and avoid using phosphorus-based fertilizers on lawns and gardens. Other methods include planting deep-rooted plants, picking up pet waste, and using low- or no-phosphate cleaning products.

Reduce the use of phosphorus-based detergents and fertilisers

Phosphorus is an indispensable nutrient that aids plant growth and is a key ingredient in synthetic fertilisers, animal feed, and various other products. However, excess phosphorus can be harmful to the environment, leading to eutrophication and harmful algal blooms. Here are some ways to reduce the use of phosphorus-based detergents and fertilisers:

Detergents

• Opt for phosphate-free or low-phosphate cleaning products, including laundry detergents and dishwasher detergents. Phosphates were banned from laundry detergents in the US in 1994, and from dishwasher detergents in 2010.
• When washing your car, use a commercial car wash that properly disposes of wastewater. Alternatively, wash your car on grass or gravel to allow for better filtration before the water goes down the drain.

Fertilisers

• Use phosphorus-free or low-phosphorus fertilisers on lawns and in gardens. Look for formulas with a middle number (representing phosphorus) of zero, such as 22-0-15. Lower phosphorus fertilisers are also available, for example, with formulas like 13-2-13 or 20-3-19.
• Plant deep-rooted plants, particularly along shoreline properties, to act as buffers and absorb and filter runoff during rain events.
• Follow feedlot operation and manure application rules, such as mandatory setbacks from bodies of water and avoiding applications during rainy weather, to prevent phosphorus runoff.
• Implement management practices such as buffer strips to filter runoff and reduce the amount of phosphorus entering lakes and streams.

Minimise soil erosion and phosphorus runoff into water bodies

Soil erosion is a major contributor of phosphorus to water bodies. Phosphorus binds to sediment, and when soil is eroded, it can be transported to nearby water bodies. Bank erosion during floods can carry a lot of phosphorus from river banks and adjacent land into a stream, lake, or other water body.

To minimise soil erosion and phosphorus runoff into water bodies, it is important to implement strategies that reduce erosion and control runoff. Here are some ways to achieve this:

• Conservation Tillage: Conservation tillage practices, such as chisel tillage and no-till, can help reduce soil erosion and phosphorus loss. No-till practices keep the soil undisturbed, preventing the movement of phosphorus-rich soil particles.
• Filter Strips: Strategically placed and properly designed filter strips can effectively reduce erosion and phosphorus movement, especially particulate phosphorus. These strips should be level to prevent the channelling of surface runoff water and wide enough to filter out contaminants.
• Terracing, Contour Tillage, and Cover Crops: Implementing terracing, contour tillage, and planting cover crops can help reduce phosphorus movement by erosion and runoff. These practices can slow water flow and increase soil infiltration, reducing the amount of phosphorus-rich water entering water bodies.
• Tile Drainage and Impoundments: Tile drainage systems and the creation of impoundments or small reservoirs can help manage water flow and reduce phosphorus loss.
• Incorporating Vegetation: Planting vegetation, such as deep-rooted plants, along shorelines and stream banks can help stabilise soils and reduce erosion. Vegetation acts as a natural buffer, absorbing and filtering runoff and providing habitat for wildlife.
• Reducing Manure and Fertiliser Applications: Avoiding excess applications of manure and phosphorus-based fertilisers can help prevent the buildup of phosphorus in soils. It is important to follow guidelines for manure application and to incorporate or inject fertilisers below the soil surface.
• Rotational Grazing: Rotating livestock grazing areas can help reduce overgrazing, maintain vegetative land cover, and decrease the risk of soil erosion and phosphorus runoff.
• Stormwater Management: Implementing measures to control stormwater runoff can help minimise phosphorus pollution. This includes directing downspouts towards lawns or plant beds and using permeable surfaces to allow water to infiltrate the ground rather than flowing into water bodies.

By implementing these strategies, we can effectively minimise soil erosion and phosphorus runoff, protecting our water bodies and preserving the health of aquatic ecosystems.

Optimise phosphorus use in livestock and crop yields

Optimising phosphorus use in livestock and crop yields is a key strategy for reducing phosphorus pollution. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for both plants and animals, but its overuse can lead to environmental issues. Here are some ways to optimise phosphorus use and reduce pollution:

For Livestock:

• Adjust Diet and Feed Management: Dairy cows, for example, are often given more phosphorus than they need to prevent deficiency, but this excess is excreted and can lead to a phosphorus build-up on farms. By determining the amount of phosphorus being excreted and adjusting feed intake, farmers can balance the cows' needs with the need to avoid excess phosphorus excretion.
• Phase Feeding: Implementing phase feeding in livestock diets can potentially reduce phosphorus excretion by 20%.
• Add Phytase Enzymes: Including phytase enzymes in diets can increase phosphorus availability, improving its utilisation efficiency.
• Use Transgenic Plants and Animals: Transgenic plants and animals have shown to increase phosphorus availability, with transgenic animals showing a 52-99% increase.

For Crops:

• Precision Application of Phosphorus Fertilisers: Matching phosphorus applications to optimal crop yields can help sustain global phosphorus reserves. Overapplication of phosphorus fertilisers is common, and more judicious use can boost or maintain optimal crop yields without accelerating the depletion of reserves.
• Soil Testing and Management: The availability of phosphorus to crops depends on soil pH, phosphorus levels, and root growth. Soil testing can help determine the recommended application amount of phosphorus for the specific crop being grown.
• Use Phosphorus-Free or Low-Phosphorus Alternatives: In lawns, gardens, and cropland, using phosphorus-free or low-phosphorus fertilisers can help avoid over-fertilising and reduce runoff into waterways.
• Buffer Strips and Landscaping: Implementing buffer strips of deep-rooted plants along shorelines and landscaping can help filter and absorb runoff, reducing the amount of phosphorus entering water bodies.
• Manure Management: Manure is a source of phosphorus, and its application should be managed carefully. Excess nutrients in manure can accumulate beyond what crops can utilise, leading to phosphorus runoff. Strategies such as following manure application rules and proper storage and handling of manure can help minimise phosphorus pollution.

Reduce phosphorus pollution from human waste

Phosphorus is an indispensable nutrient that helps plants grow. It is also a key ingredient in animal feed and is used in steel, food additives, electric car batteries, pesticides, and household cleaning products. However, despite its many uses, phosphorus can have devastating effects when it enters lakes, rivers, and the ocean. Excess phosphorus can create problems in waterways and drinking water, a process known as eutrophication. This leads to harmful algal blooms, which deplete waterways of oxygen, cause fish kills, and damage ecosystems.

Reduce Phosphorus in Wastewater

Human activities, such as agriculture and sewage, contribute to phosphorus pollution in water bodies. Properly treating wastewater can reduce the concentration of phosphorus in it by at least 80%. This involves improving fertilizer and manure management, minimizing soil erosion, and reducing phosphorus leaching into water. Developing infrastructure to recycle phosphorus from wastes and creating markets for recycled phosphorus products are also important steps.

Optimize Fertilizer Use

Phosphorus is commonly found in agricultural fertilizers, and using too much can harm the environment. To reduce phosphorus pollution, it is recommended to use no-phosphorus or low-phosphorus fertilizers on lawns and gardens. Look for fertilizer formulas with a middle number (representing phosphorus) of zero, such as 22-0-15. Lower phosphorus fertilizers are also available, with numbers like 13-2-13 or 20-3-19. Optimizing fertilizer use in agriculture and reducing phosphorus input through better agricultural practices can help minimize phosphorus pollution.

Minimize Food Waste

Food waste contributes to phosphorus loss, as it increases the demand for phosphorus-containing fertilizers. By minimizing food waste, we can reduce the need for phosphorus fertilizers and lower the environmental impact of phosphorus pollution.

Improve Septic System Maintenance

Regularly inspecting and pumping out septic systems is crucial for preventing phosphorus pollution. When a septic system fails or is not properly maintained, phosphorus can be released into local water bodies or groundwater. Proper maintenance can help reduce the risk of phosphorus contamination in the environment.

Raise Awareness and Political Commitment

Addressing phosphorus pollution requires collective action and political will. Raising awareness about the impacts of phosphorus pollution and advocating for transparent and committed governance are essential steps in tackling this issue. Developing economic and regulatory policies that reduce animal product consumption and waste production can also help mitigate phosphorus pollution from human waste.

Raise awareness of the negative impacts of phosphorus pollution

Raising awareness of the negative impacts of phosphorus pollution is crucial to reducing it. Here are some ways to do that:

Educate the Public about the Sources of Phosphorus Pollution

People need to understand that phosphorus is a common element in agricultural fertilizers, manure, and organic waste found in sewage and industrial discharges. When it rains or snows, water can carry fertilizers and manure from fields into nearby water sources. Educating the public about these sources can help people understand the impact of their actions and encourage them to adopt more sustainable practices, such as using phosphorus-free fertilizers.

Highlight the Environmental Consequences of Excess Phosphorus

It is important to communicate how excess phosphorus contributes to eutrophication, a process that pollutes lakes, rivers, and oceans. This leads to the growth of harmful algal blooms, which can contaminate drinking water sources, create oxygen-deprived "dead zones," and kill fish and other aquatic species. These blooms also release more phosphorus as they decay, creating a vicious cycle that fuels further growth.

Emphasize the Impact on Human Health and Recreation

Algal blooms can produce toxins that are harmful to both people and pets. They also hinder recreational activities such as swimming and damage the habitat of fish and other aquatic species. By understanding these direct and indirect impacts on human health and well-being, communities can be motivated to take action and support initiatives that reduce phosphorus pollution.

Communicate the Economic Impact

The negative consequences of phosphorus pollution extend beyond the environmental and health domains. Eutrophication caused by phosphorus pollution has significant economic implications, costing the US economy an estimated $2.2 billion annually. By raising awareness of these costs, stakeholders can be encouraged to invest in and implement sustainable practices and technologies that reduce phosphorus pollution.

Promote Sustainable Alternatives and Practices

Raising awareness of sustainable alternatives to phosphorus-based fertilizers, such as manure and cover crops, can help reduce pollution. Educating farmers about regenerative agriculture, which improves soil health and maintains biodiversity, can also minimize the need for phosphorus-based fertilizers. Additionally, promoting proper wastewater treatment methods can significantly reduce phosphorus concentrations in wastewater.

Frequently asked questions