How do fertilizers and pesticides pollute water?
Excess nutrients over-stimulate the growth of aquatic plants and algae, which clog our waterways and block light to deeper waters while the organisms are alive; when the organisms die, they use up dissolved oxygen as they decompose, causing oxygen-poor waters that support only diminished amounts of marine life.
Do pesticides cause water pollution?
Pesticides have the potential to contaminate drinking water supplies. They are applied to farmlands, gardens and lawns and can make their way into ground water or surface water systems that feed drinking water supplies. Primary standards protect public health by limiting the levels of impurities in drinking water.
Can use of fertilizers cause water pollution?
Excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus can negatively affect aquatic ecosystems. Nutrient-rich fertilizer runoff stimulates productivity, which can lead to harmful algal blooms or fish kills.
How does pesticides affect water?
Factors Affecting Pesticide Pollution of Water. Water from excessive rainfall and irrigation cannot always be held within the soil structure. Therefore, pesticides and residues (also nitrates and phosphates) can be quickly transported to contaminate ground water and freshwater supplies over a large geographical area.
Why will the use of pesticides cause water pollution?
The application of excess pesticide increases the risk of contaminating water by overloading the protective mechanisms of degradation and adsorption, making them ineffective.
What causes insecticide pollution?
As artificial organic compounds, pesticides can remain in the environment for many years and may be transported over a long distance [13]. Pesticide residues in soil and water are significant environment threats and have been classified as carcinogen pollutants in many countries [14,15].
How does chemical fertilizers cause water pollution?
Environmental nitrogen and phosphorous contribute to the process of Eutrophication, which enriches the water surface with nutrients. The trophic status of lakes is associated with the nutrients and growth of organic matters of the lake. The effect of Eutrophication is that there is an abundance of algal bloom.
Why are pesticides so bad for the environment?
When pesticides contaminate waters, such waters become harmful to living organisms that consume or come in contact with them. Water pollution is very bad for the environment.
Why are organic fertilizers bad for the environment?
The usage of organic fertilizers results in the discharge of nitrate, potassium and phosphates that pollute the water. The contamination of groundwater occurs as a result of leaching due to nitrate. The ground and surface waters are infested with heavy metals, whose concentration poses a threat to humans and animals.
How are pesticides and irrigation related to water pollution?
Application rate: The more pesticide that is applied, the longer significant concentrations remain. Irrigation Management: Irrigation increases the chance that pesticides will migrate to ground water and surface water.