Suneel Kumar os riscos são diversos, vão desde a contaminação da vida marinha até a contaminação do alimento que se encontra em sua mesa. nos ultimos anos varias pesquisas apontam que alguns produtos sinteticos (conhecidos como agrotoxicos) podem conter diferentes particulas de metais pesados que são bioacumulativas na cadeia alimentar, e o ser humano por estar no topo da cadeia, assim dizendo, é o que mais consume estas particulas, e uma vez consumida, o metal acumulado passa a causar alterações morfologicas, desencadeando possivelmente doenças nas geraçoes que veem a nascer. Pode se dizer também que parte da biodiversidade marinha é perdida, pois muitos micro organismos são sensiveis a tais particulas quimicas presentes nos defencivos agricolas.
Fertilizers are made of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Nitrate, a common component of chemical fertilizers, is particularly problematic. High nitrate levels in drinking water have been linked to health issues, such as methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome), posing a significant risk to infants and pregnant women. Chemical fertilizers provide minerals which dissolve in water and are immediately available to plants. But they may escape from the soil and pollute the groundwater, rivers and lakes, Chemical fertilizers can also kill bacteria and other microorganisms in the soil. One of the problems with chemical fertilizers is they seep through the soil into the groundwater and other water sources, leading to contamination
I agree with much of what Prem wrote but the concerns he raises should be qualified. Yes, nitrate is mobile and a major problem in rapidly draining soils over aquifers, but it's less problematic in other situations. In similar soils P can also be mobile. That is a typical example of the complexity of the environment.
Excessive addition of chemical fertilizers also causes the phenomenon of eutrophication, which is derived from the Greek word "eutrophos", which means good nutrition or excessive nutrition. Eutrophication is the increase in the concentration of nutrients in water, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, as a result of adding large quantities of chemical fertilizers to agricultural crops, washing them, and leaching them. To ground waterways, the water collects in the form of swamps or lakes in which the concentration of elements is high and causes an environmental problem that threatens living organisms (Pawar et al., 2020).
The farmer adds chemical fertilizers to agricultural crops, especially in poor lands. The farmer resorts to excessive addition of these fertilizers in order to increase production and improve its quality. Studies have indicated the danger of adding these fertilizers, which is manifested in the salinization of the soil and making it unsuitable for agriculture over time, in addition to the accumulation of Heavy metals, nitrates and groundwater pollution, and thus damage to the environment and human health as a result of the residual effects of these chemicals in agricultural products. (Savci, 2012)
Studies have shown that 60-90% of the added chemical fertilizers and pesticides do not benefit the plant and are lost through many processes such as leaching, volatilization, binding with other elements, and the formation of compounds that the plant does not benefit from, and the plant benefits from the remaining 10-40% only (Bhardwaj et al. al., 2014)
Nosalewicz & Skorka (2021) indicated through a study they conducted that agriculture is responsible for 80-95% of the total ammonia emissions into the atmosphere, and fertilization with mineral nitrogen, especially urea, is responsible for 19-20.3% of the total ammonia emissions emanating from agriculture, although emissions Ammonia has a negative impact on the environment and human health, so it is important to reduce the volatilization of ammonia and increase the efficiency of the use of chemical fertilizers, and the urgent need to find new technologies and methods to replace chemical fertilizers, especially nitrogenous ones, in order to reduce the percentage of loss from the quantities that were added and reduce their use gradually until they are dispensed with. Fully.
Chemical fertilizers increase plant growth and production, and meet the global need for food, but the roots of plants remain weak and do not grow well. Adding fertilizers leads to soil pollution and deterioration, and the accumulation of toxic chemicals in agricultural products, thus transferring them to the human body, and posing a danger to Its health, in addition to the damage it causes during its manufacture, as it pollutes the air as a result of the gases it releases, such as NH4, CO2, and CH4, and fertilizer factory waste may be released into the water and pollute it as well (Kumar et al., 2019; Hamid, 2019).
The use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture can pose risks to water quality through a process known as nutrient runoff. Here are some of the key risks associated with water contamination from chemical fertilizers:
1. Nutrient Runoff: One of the primary concerns is the runoff of excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, from fields into nearby water bodies. This runoff can occur during rainfall or irrigation and can lead to elevated nutrient levels in rivers, lakes, and other water sources.
2. Eutrophication: Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential nutrients for plant growth, but excessive amounts in water bodies can lead to eutrophication. This is a process where these nutrients stimulate the rapid growth of algae and aquatic plants. As the algae die and decompose, oxygen levels in the water can decrease, leading to "dead zones" where fish and other aquatic life struggle to survive.
3. Groundwater Contamination: Some chemical fertilizers can leach into the groundwater, especially in areas with sandy soils or shallow water tables. This can result in the contamination of drinking water sources with nitrates, which can be harmful, particularly to infants and pregnant women.
4. Toxic Chemicals: Some chemical fertilizers contain potentially harmful substances such as heavy metals or pesticides. If these chemicals are not managed properly, they can find their way into water sources and pose risks to aquatic ecosystems and potentially human health.
5. Soil Degradation: Over-reliance on chemical fertilizers without proper soil management practices can lead to soil degradation. Degraded soils are more prone to erosion, and the runoff from eroded soils can carry fertilizers and other contaminants into water bodies.
6. Impact on Aquatic Life: Elevated nutrient levels in water bodies can negatively impact aquatic ecosystems. Algal blooms, for example, can block sunlight and reduce oxygen levels, leading to the decline of fish and other aquatic organisms.
7. Persistence in the Environment: Some synthetic fertilizers can persist in the environment for an extended period, increasing the likelihood of long-term impacts on water quality.
To mitigate these risks, sustainable agricultural practices such as precision farming, proper nutrient management, cover cropping, and the use of organic or alternative fertilizers can be employed. Additionally, implementing buffer zones, planting cover crops, and adopting conservation practices can help reduce nutrient runoff and protect water quality. Regulations and guidelines for fertilizer use can also play a role in minimizing the environmental impact of chemical fertilizers