Kiera Jefferson
Nutrient pollution is one of the most serious water pollution issues in the US, with 50 out of 50 states impacted by it. It is caused by an excess of nitrogen and phosphorus in the air and water, which are natural parts of aquatic ecosystems. Nitrogen is the most abundant element in the air we breathe, and both nitrogen and phosphorus are essential for the growth of algae and aquatic plants. However, when there is too much of these nutrients in the environment, it can lead to water and air pollution. The primary sources of nutrient pollution are agriculture, stormwater, wastewater, fossil fuels, and the use of certain soaps, fertilizers, and detergents around the home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Components | Nitrogen, Phosphorus |
| Sources | Natural: weathering of rocks and soil, ocean currents |
| Human: industrial, urban, agricultural activities, fossil fuels, fertilizers, wastewater, automobile exhaust, animal waste, stormwater, sewage | |
| Effects | Algal blooms, low oxygen levels, poor water quality, environmental and human health issues, economic impact |
| Prevention | Community involvement, controlling nutrient sources, restoring ecosystems, reducing runoff, proper waste disposal, choosing phosphate-free products |
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What You'll Learn
Nitrogen and phosphorus
Nitrogen is the most abundant element in the air we breathe. It is present in fossil fuels and is released into the atmosphere through the burning of these fuels by electric power generation, industry, transportation, and agriculture. When there is excess nitrogen in the air, it can produce pollutants such as ammonia and ozone, which can impair our ability to breathe, limit visibility, and alter plant growth. As nitrogen returns to the earth from the atmosphere, it can harm forests, soils, and waterways.
Nitrogen also enters waterways through stormwater runoff, which carries pollutants from hard surfaces like rooftops, sidewalks, and roads. In agriculture, the use of synthetic fertilizers and animal manure adds nitrogen to the soil. When nitrogen is not fully taken up by plants, it can leave farm fields and negatively impact downstream water quality.
Phosphorus, like nitrogen, is also found in animal manure and chemical fertilizers used in agriculture. It is a component of wastewater, as our sewer and septic systems may not adequately remove it before discharging into waterways. The amount of phosphorus lost to surface waters is directly related to the amount present in the soil.
Together, excess nitrogen and phosphorus act as fertilizers in water bodies, causing excessive algae growth, a process known as eutrophication. This leads to the formation of algal blooms, which can be harmful due to the production of elevated toxins and bacterial growth. These blooms reduce oxygen levels in the water, causing illnesses and death in fish populations and potentially impacting human health.
Addressing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution requires a combination of control and preventative measures. Strategies include banning phosphorus from laundry detergents, removing it from sewage, and trapping and removing phosphorus from water bodies. Reducing nitrogen inputs can be achieved through better management of stormwater runoff, improvements in wastewater treatment, and the development of technologies to remove nitrogen from the air and water. Community involvement is crucial, as local action can significantly reduce nutrient runoff and protect aquatic ecosystems and human communities.
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Urbanisation and agriculture
Urbanisation
Urbanisation has led to an increase in the number of people living in coastal areas. This has resulted in more nutrients entering coastal waters from wastewater treatment facilities, runoff from land during rains, and from farming. Nutrients from lawn and garden fertilisers, as well as pet and wildlife waste, can run off urban land into waterways. This is a form of nonpoint source pollution, which is difficult to regulate as it comes from diffuse sources and varies with seasons, precipitation, and other events.
Agriculture
Agricultural activities, especially ploughing, contribute significantly to nutrient loading. Nutrients from synthetic and natural fertilisers, as well as animal manure, are applied to fields to provide crops with nitrogen and phosphorus for growth. When these nutrients are not fully utilised by plants, they can be washed or leached from farm fields into waterways, negatively impacting water quality. This excess nitrogen and phosphorus can cause eutrophication, leading to hypoxia and harmful algal blooms.
Farming practices can help reduce nutrient runoff by creating artificial wetlands, buffer zones, and vegetating drainage ditches to capture excess nutrients. Adopting improved nutrient management techniques, such as applying nutrients in the right amounts and at the right time of year, can also help mitigate nutrient pollution.
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Point and non-point sources
Nutrient pollution has two common sources: point sources and non-point sources. Point sources are directly attributable to one influence. In point sources, nutrient waste travels directly from the source to the water. Point sources are relatively easy to regulate. Point sources of nitrogen consist primarily of a variety of large and small industries and publicly and privately owned wastewater treatment plants. Sewage and industrial point sources are predominant in watersheds near cities, where they may account for large proportions of the nitrogen in streams. The largest sources are coal- and oil-burning electric utilities and large industries that together account for about 53 percent of nitrogen emissions. However, automobiles, trucks, and other forms of transportation also account for a significant proportion of nitrogen emissions.
Non-point source pollution (also known as 'diffuse' or 'runoff' pollution) comes from ill-defined and diffuse sources. Non-point sources are difficult to regulate and usually vary spatially and temporally (with season, precipitation, and other irregular events). Non-point source pollution is harder to identify and address. It is pollution that comes from many places all at once. Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen is generally greatest in areas of greatest precipitation, such as the Northeast. Ploughing in agriculture and development are among the activities that contribute most to nutrient loading. Nutrients from human activities tend to accumulate in soils and remain there for years.
In the United States, the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act have helped limit both point-source and non-point-source pollution. The Clean Water Act has focused on efforts to reduce discharges of pollutants from sewage treatment plants and other point sources. However, in 1990, approximately 37% of the U.S. river miles that were tested still did not fully support the designated uses. In 2008, the EPA published a progress report on state efforts to develop nutrient standards, and in 2011, it reiterated the need for states to fully develop their nutrient standards.
Community involvement is essential for reducing nutrient pollution. One of the most effective ways for communities to make a difference is by participating in regional initiatives, such as the Chesapeake Bay Program. This collaborative effort brings together residents, local governments, and organizations to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in the Chesapeake Bay.
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Human activities
Agriculture
Agricultural practices are a significant contributor to nutrient pollution, particularly the use of animal manure and chemical fertilisers containing nitrogen and phosphorus. When farms mismanage manure or overuse fertilisers, rainfall can wash these nutrients into nearby waterways. Soil erosion in agricultural lands also contributes to nutrient pollution, as eroded phosphates are transported to streams and lakes. In the United States, about 40% of land is used for agriculture, and agricultural chemicals have been detected in various components of the hydrologic system, including air, soil, soil water, streams, wetlands, and groundwater.
Urbanisation and Stormwater
Urbanisation and stormwater runoff are also responsible for nutrient pollution. When precipitation falls on urban areas, it collects pollutants, including nitrogen and phosphorus from sources such as fertilisers, pet waste, and detergents, and carries them into local waterways. Hard surfaces like rooftops, sidewalks, and roads facilitate the flow of stormwater, increasing the amount of nutrient runoff into water bodies.
Wastewater
Improper wastewater treatment is another source of nutrient pollution. Sewer and septic systems may not effectively remove nitrogen and phosphorus before discharging into waterways. Additionally, the burning of fossil fuels and industrial activities can increase the amount of nitrogen in the air and water.
Individual Actions
Nutrient pollution is also influenced by individual actions within households and communities. Fertilisers, yard waste, and pet waste can contribute to nutrient runoff if not properly managed. The use of certain soaps, detergents, and cleaning products containing phosphorus can also lead to nutrient pollution if not chosen and used responsibly.
Overall, human activities play a significant role in nutrient pollution, and addressing these activities through regulation, improved practices, and community involvement is essential for safeguarding aquatic ecosystems and human health.
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Algal blooms
When the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus increase in a body of water, the right combination of temperature, sunlight, and low flow can trigger an algal bloom. These blooms are more likely to occur in warm, slow-moving water with high nutrient levels. Climate change and environmental conditions due to human activities also contribute to the growth and spread of algae.
The negative impacts of algal blooms on ecosystems are significant. Algal blooms can block sunlight from reaching underwater plants, disrupting the food and living conditions of fish and other animals. As algae multiply, they can deplete the nutrient supply, causing stress and death. The decomposition of dying algae reduces dissolved oxygen levels in the water, which can be harmful to fish species with low oxygen tolerance. Additionally, some algal species produce toxins or clog the gills of fish, leading to direct fish kills.
To address the issue of algal blooms, it is crucial to reduce nutrient pollution. This can be achieved through proper fertilizer usage, maintaining septic systems, and community involvement in initiatives aimed at reducing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in local waterways. Governments, businesses, and individuals must work together to implement effective strategies for controlling nutrient sources and restoring damaged ecosystems.
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Frequently asked questions
Nutrient pollution is caused by an excess of nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus, entering the environment. Nitrogen and phosphorus are natural parts of aquatic ecosystems, but human activities have increased their presence in the air and water.
Human activities that contribute to nutrient pollution include the use of synthetic fertilizers, burning of fossil fuels, agricultural activities such as animal manure and chemical fertilizers, and urban stormwater runoff.
Nutrient pollution leads to a phenomenon known as eutrophication, where excessive nutrient levels cause algae to grow excessively. This can result in harmful algal blooms (HABs) that decrease water quality, impact food resources and habitats, and reduce the oxygen available for aquatic life.
Yes, nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus can occur naturally from the weathering of rocks and soil or from ocean currents. However, human-related inputs are much greater and have a more significant impact on nutrient pollution.
Community involvement is crucial in reducing nutrient pollution. This includes participating in regional initiatives, such as the Chesapeake Bay Program, which aims to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. Individuals can also make a difference by using phosphate-free detergents and soaps, properly disposing of pet waste, and reducing nutrient runoff from lawns and gardens.
