How does excessive use of chemical fertilizers because chemical pollution and overuse of pesticides and fertilizers lead to water pollution?
Md Abdullah Al Masud
Runoff: When fertilizers and pesticides are applied to agricultural fields, plants do not always fully absorb them. During rainstorms or irrigation, these chemicals can be washed off the land and carried into nearby water bodies—streams, rivers, lakes, and eventually oceans. This runoff can contain high levels of nitrates, phosphates, and various chemical substances used to control pests. Leaching: Chemicals from fertilizers and pesticides can also seep through the soil and enter the groundwater systems. This process, known as leaching, can lead to the contamination of groundwater sources that might be used for drinking, irrigation, or other purposes. Eutrophication: The presence of high nutrient concentrations, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers, in water bodies can lead to eutrophication. This process results in excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants, which consume a lot of the oxygen in the water when they die and decompose. The reduced oxygen levels can lead to dead zones where aquatic life cannot survive, altering the ecosystem and reducing biodiversity. Chemical Toxicity: Pesticides are designed to kill or control pests, but they can also be toxic to other forms of life, including aquatic organisms. When these chemicals enter waterways, they can harm fish, amphibians, and microorganisms, disrupting aquatic ecosystems and reducing their ability to function properly. Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification: Some of the chemicals used in agriculture do not break down easily in the environment. These persistent organic pollutants can accumulate in the tissues of small organisms and then progressively concentrate up the food chain through a process known as biomagnification. This can lead to harmful levels of toxins in wildlife and even affect human health if contaminated fish or water is consumed. Resistance: Overuse of pesticides can lead to the development of resistance among pest populations, necessitating even higher doses or the development of new chemical formulations, potentially increasing environmental toxicity.
Excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can lead to significant water pollution in several ways:
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Usha Chinnadorai
Surface Runoff: When it rains, water can wash away excess fertilizers and pesticides from agricultural fields into nearby surface water bodies like rivers, lakes, and streams. This runoff carries chemicals such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and pesticides directly into water sources. Leaching: Chemical fertilizers applied to soil can leach through the soil layers and eventually reach groundwater. This contaminates groundwater, which serves as a source of drinking water for many communities. Nitrate contamination, for example, is a common issue when excessive nitrogen fertilizers leach into groundwater. Eutrophication: Nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers promote excessive growth of algae and aquatic plants in water bodies, a phenomenon known as eutrophication. When these organisms die and decompose, they consume oxygen, leading to oxygen depletion in the water. This can harm aquatic life, creating "dead zones" where fish and other organisms cannot survive. Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Pesticides are designed to be toxic to pests, but they can also harm non-target organisms in aquatic ecosystems. Fish, amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates can be directly affected by pesticide runoff, leading to reduced biodiversity and ecosystem imbalance. Bioaccumulation: Some pesticides and fertilizers are persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the tissues of aquatic organisms. This bioaccumulation can lead to higher concentrations of toxic substances in organisms higher up the food chain, including humans who consume contaminated fish or water. Impact on Human Health: Contaminated water sources can pose health risks to humans who use them for drinking, recreation, or agriculture. Consumption of water with high levels of nitrates or pesticides has been linked to various health problems, including methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) and long-term chronic health issues.@ Rk Naresh sir
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Excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can contribute to water pollution through several pathways:
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Noor Azme Omar
These days’ market demand driven had lead to chemical based fertilizers compared to organic fertilizers. Organic agriculture product had its own price, similar to freshwater, most upstream water catchment does not require any water treatment. As climate change brought heat wave episode and uncertainty intensed rainfall, as methane (CH4) could possible productively from open landfills, it may possible contributed to chemical evaporation rate. Might similar to acid rain phenomena.
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