12 ms·
Fertilizer overuse causing runoff is half the concern, that part causes algae blooms. On the other half is that fertilizers are either mined (unlikely) or manu
by neltnerb 4y ago
Fertilizer overuse causing runoff is half the concern, that part causes algae blooms.
On the other half is that fertilizers are either mined (unlikely) or manufactured from nitrogen in the air plus hydrogen. The downside is that the hydrogen is almost entirely made from natural gas.
So, fertilizers start as mostly fossil fuel energetically, and end up feeding algae blooms if overused. This seems like a huge deal to me, I've been keeping an eye on this kind of project for a long time. Reducing use of fertilizer means less fossil fuel use, and if it's generated locally and in the right amounts it is bound to help on the waste side too.
- rmason 4y agoActually most cases of runoff these days are from lawn fertilizer and manure from very large livestock operations. The later is on its way to being controlled with farmers having to fill out and get approved plans for manure disposal. Nothing is being done that I am aware about lawn fertilizer overuse and I am not certain as to why?
- denimnerd42 4y agoit’s nearly impossible to find lawn fertilizer with phosphorus in it nowadays in many parts or all of the US so something is being done.