Bronte Wells
California is one of the top agricultural states in the US, with its Central Valley being one of the world's most productive agricultural regions. However, agriculture in California is a major source of pollution, particularly nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution, which is a leading cause of premature death and biodiversity decline. This pollution is caused by agricultural soil, with especially high emissions from the Central Valley region, and the burning of crops and materials. California's agricultural sector is also connected to water pollution and high water consumption, with the state's arid climate contributing to the latter. The state has implemented policies to reduce NOx pollution from fossil fuel sources, but agricultural pollution remains an issue, with farm counties struggling to meet the EPA's clean air quality standards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of pollution | NOx, water pollution, air pollution |
| Region | Central Valley, San Joaquin Valley |
| Pollutants | Nitrogen oxides, nitrogen oxide gases, ammonium nitrate, particulate matter |
| Health impacts | Upper respiratory disease, asthma, cancer, birth defects, cardiovascular disease, sudden infant death syndrome |
| Environmental impacts | Biodiversity decline, water contamination, soil contamination |
| Economic impacts | Agriculture supports 12.2% of the US food economy |
| Mitigation strategies | Management practices, soil management approaches, policies targeting fossil fuel sources |
| Policy actions | California's cap-and-trade program, Zero Emission Vehicle mandate |
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What You'll Learn
Nitrogen oxide emissions from agricultural soil
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are a primary component of air pollution, which is a leading cause of premature death in humans and biodiversity loss worldwide. Nitrous oxide (N2O), a type of nitrogen oxide, is a long-lived greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and stratospheric ozone depletion. It has a warming potential 298 times that of carbon dioxide over 100 years.
Agricultural activities are responsible for two-thirds of total anthropogenic N2O emissions globally. In California, agricultural soils are a dominant source of NOx pollution, with particularly high emissions from the Central Valley region. The Central Valley is one of the world's most productive agricultural regions, contributing significantly to California's economy and the US food economy.
The primary processes causing N2O emissions in agricultural soils are nitrification, nitrifier denitrification, and denitrification. Nitrification involves the microbial oxidation of ammonium (NH4+) to nitrate (NO3-), with N2O emitted as a byproduct. Nitrifier denitrification is the reduction of nitrite (NO2-) to nitrogen monoxide (NO), then to N2O, and finally to dinitrogen (N2). Denitrification is a two-step process where NO3- is converted to N2O and then into inert N2 under anaerobic conditions.
Factors influencing N2O emissions during these processes include soil N concentration, soil moisture, soil temperature, fertilizer application amounts, and land use management. The application of inorganic fertilizers and manure when crops cannot uptake all the applied nitrogen due to their growth stage contributes significantly to N2O emissions from agricultural soils.
To address N2O emissions from agricultural soils in California, strategies beyond those focused on fossil fuel sources are necessary. Implementing effective soil management approaches and policies can help limit NOx emissions from agriculture and bring positive outcomes for the economy, ecosystems, and human health in rural areas of the state.
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Almond production and water waste
California is one of the top five states in water use for livestock, with water withdrawals for livestock use in California reaching 101–250 million US gallons (380,000,000–950,000,000 L)/day in 2010. The agricultural sector in California uses about 40% of the state's water consumption. Almonds are often cited as one of the most unsustainable crops grown in the state. California almond farmers have been criticised for their water usage, especially in drought-prone areas, which threatens long-term water security and environmental health.
The water footprint of California almonds averaged 10,240 litres per kilogram of kernels (or 12 litres per almond kernel), with substantial variation over time and across the production area. This is a large amount of water for an individual nut and the industry as a whole. Almond production in California is the source of several major environmental problems, including high demand for water and abundant waste of almond shells.
However, almond growers insist that they are not to blame for California's water depletion. They argue that water conservation measures can help balance water use with economic needs. Almond farmers emphasise that continued access to water is crucial for supporting their livelihoods and maintaining agricultural productivity. They also argue that the water used to grow almonds grows four products: the kernel, the woody shell, the fuzzy outer hull, and the tree. The trees store tons of carbon each year, the shells become livestock bedding, and the hulls are nutritious dairy feed, reducing the water needed to grow other feed crops.
Since the 1980s, almond farmers have focused on water conservation. Research funded by farmers in that decade assessed whether a new irrigation method, microirrigation, could work in almond orchards. By targeting water directly to the trees' roots instead of flooding entire fields, this new approach conserved water and increased yields. Today, over 80% of California almond farms use microirrigation, nearly twice the rate of California farms overall. In 2018, they set a goal for a further 20% reduction of water by 2025, which will be achieved through innovative tools like soil moisture meters and precision scheduling, as well as regenerative practices like improving soil quality to increase its water-holding capacity. As of 2022, farmers had already achieved three-quarters of that goal.
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Central Valley groundwater pollution
California's Central Valley is one of the world's most productive agricultural regions, with over 230 crops grown there. It produces eight per cent of the nation's agricultural output by value, with the top four counties in agricultural sales being located in the Central Valley. The region's agricultural productivity relies on irrigation from surface water diversions and groundwater pumping.
The problem of groundwater pollution in the Central Valley is compounded by the overdrafting of underground aquifers and intensive pumping during droughts, which can accelerate the deterioration of groundwater quality. According to a research geologist with the USGS, Dr Zeno Levy, "Water quality problems from legacy groundwater pollution could get worse, faster, when pumping increases during drought, [...] This could lead to more public drinking-water wells being shut down if costly treatment or cleaner water sources to mix with are not available."
Before the Californian Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014, no regulations governed groundwater management, except for the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act, which did not adequately protect Central Valley residents. With advances in testing and research, organisations and residents of the Central Valley have increased efforts to reduce the impact of nitrate water pollution.
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Water quality and agricultural impacts
California's intricate water system is under unprecedented strain due to the state's re-emerging drought, threatening mass agricultural production and basic drinking water. The state's water resources are facing multiple challenges, including maintaining water levels in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to prevent ocean salt from contaminating the water used for agriculture and domestic purposes.
The Central Valley of California, one of the world's most productive agricultural regions, relies on irrigation from surface water and groundwater pumping. However, groundwater levels in the San Joaquin Valley are decreasing due to irrigation and well operations, a process called subsidence, impacting the volume of water that can be stored and used.
Agricultural practices have been identified as a significant source of water pollution in California. The impact of agriculture on water quality is associated with various contaminants, including nutrients, pesticides, salts, pollutants, sediment, pathogens, and heavy metals. These contaminants enter water bodies through rainwater runoff, excess irrigation, or leaching into groundwater. Drought conditions exacerbate these water quality concerns.
To address these issues, California has implemented several programs and regulations. The Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program aims to protect water quality from agricultural practices, with each Regional Water Quality Control Board adopting orders specific to their region. The state has also committed to convening a second Agricultural Expert Panel to provide recommendations for program development. Additionally, growers within the Eastern San Joaquin River Watershed are subject to the ESJ Order, which includes requirements for educational outreach, record-keeping, on-farm drinking water monitoring, and irrigation and nitrogen management plans.
Alternative crop selection and sustainable farming practices are also being explored to reduce water consumption and environmental impacts. For example, drought-tolerant crops, such as drought-resistant agave, and annual crops that require less water than permanent orchard plantings are being considered. Sustainable agriculture aims to accommodate natural limitations in water supply and address the needs of local ecologies and fisheries.
Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from agricultural soils, particularly in the Central Valley, have been identified as a significant source of air pollution in California, contributing to health issues and biodiversity decline. Strategies to reduce NOx emissions from agriculture include investing in management practices that benefit the economy, ecosystems, and human health in rural areas.
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Air pollution from agricultural burning
California's agricultural sector is a significant contributor to air pollution, particularly through the release of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from agricultural soils and the burning of agricultural fields.
NOx emissions from agricultural soils are a dominant source of air pollution in California, with the Central Valley region exhibiting especially high levels. This is due in part to the heavy use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers in the region, which have been linked to various adverse health effects, including respiratory diseases, asthma, cancer, and cardiovascular issues.
Additionally, the burning of agricultural fields, or agricultural burning, is a widespread practice in California, particularly in the Imperial Valley and San Joaquin Valley regions. It is used to remove crop residue after harvesting and is considered a fast and inexpensive method for transitioning between crops. While it is a regulated practice in California, with permits and burn authorizations required, it remains an underappreciated source of air pollution, releasing toxic pollutants into the air.
The impact of agricultural burning on respiratory health, especially in children, has been studied in the Imperial Valley. Research has found that children living near agricultural burning areas had a higher prevalence of wheezing, sneezing, and bronchitic symptoms. Each additional day of burning was associated with a one percentage point increase in the prevalence of these symptoms.
To improve air quality and public health, California regulators aim to phase out agricultural burning by 2025, encouraging more sustainable alternatives through financial incentive programs like the Ag Burn Alternatives Grant Program. This shift is expected to have positive outcomes for both the environment and rural communities in California.
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Frequently asked questions
Agriculture pollution is most abundant in California when certain conditions are met, such as during droughts or when there is increased fertilizer use.
Fertilizer use contributes to agriculture pollution in California by increasing the presence of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the soil. NOx emissions from fertilizer use can lead to air pollution and negative health impacts, including respiratory issues, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
Agriculture pollution impacts water quality in California through the introduction of contaminants such as nutrients, pesticides, salts, pollutants, sediment, pathogens, and heavy metals. These contaminants enter water bodies through rainwater runoff, excess irrigation, or leaching into groundwater, affecting most regions in the state, especially during droughts.
Agriculture pollution, particularly from the San Joaquin Valley's agricultural burning and fertilizer use, contributes to California's air quality issues. The combination of agricultural activities and emissions from vehicles, industry, and composting facilities can lead to poor air quality, posing health risks to vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly.
