PREVENTING DEAD ZONES

PREVENTING DEAD ZONES

Nitrogen pollution has become a crisis in many areas, causing algae blooms and decreased oxygen levels from their subsequent decomposition. Our farms sequester nitrogen and limit the potential for algae blooms. Excess fertilizer remnants come from farms that are near rivers and lakes. The materials are then caught in these rivers and lakes which flow into the larger bodies of waters and create the dead zones. Nitrogen and phosphorous enter the river through upstream runoff of fertilizers, soil erosion, animal wastes, and sewage.By controlling less usage of fertilizer, we can reduce the amount of runoff that is wasted into the sea.

The culmination of tons of garbage that are found in the sea, affects the sea life and waters. Not only does it affect the sea animals that we eat and sell, but it also affects the plant life of the surrounding waters. Animal waste should also be monitored so that it doesn’t enter into the waterways. It is a possible goal to eliminate ocean dead zones by implementing these methods and tactics. Under the UNDP-led effort, investments helped refurbish Sarajevo’s water treatment facility. A low-cost public awareness campaign steered waves of consumers away from phosphorous-laden detergents.

A pilot program for farmers showed that by recycling manure, farms could cut back on fertilizer, while reducing the runoff from animal wastes– a double win for the Black Sea.

By following these simple methods of keeping the environment clean and keeping communities aware of methods of industrial practices used by factories, we can ultimately draw an end to dead zones and provide a better environment for the ocean, animals and people that live in these areas.