Lake Erie : Causes and Effects of the Algal Blooms
Over the years, Ohio’s largest body of water has been plagued with a plethora of environmental issues. Lake Erie has suffered from invasions of nonnative species, harmful factory pollutants, and waste water from nearby coal industries. Each form of pollution has depleted the the lake’s environment in some way, but none of these environmental hazards have been equal in severity to Lake Erie’s immense algal blooms. These blooms are caused by rainwater that drains into nearby streams, rivers, and eventually Lake Erie. This draining water is referred to as runoff. Not all rainwater runoff that makes its way into Lake Erie will cause algae to bloom at a quicker rate. It is the runoff from …show more content…
These synthetic fertilizers are “man made” inorganic compounds, that are usually derived from by-products of the petroleum industry (Gach). Commonly used synthetic fertilizers include : Ammonium Nitrate, Ammonium Phosphate, Superphosphate, and Potassium Sulfate (Gach). Each of these fertilizers are unable to be absorbed into the soil, as organic fertilizers are. Instead, only some of the fertilizer is absorbed by the plant, which leaves the remaining fertilizer to rest on the topsoil until rain washes it into the field’s waterways. Many farmers are oblivious to this, and continue to use high amounts of synthetic fertilizers on their crops because of the speed at which they cause their crops to grow. Synthetic fertilizers are not only causing harm to Ohio’s most abundant natural resource, but they are slowly depleting nutrients from fertile …show more content…
The benefits of a healthy Lake Erie have the power to transform Ohio’s northern shores into the beautiful attraction that they once were. Farmers have the power to end the troubles that polluted water causes for nearby cities, restore hundreds of lakeside businesses, and save entire fish populations. Farmers have the power to put an end to the dangerous algal blooms that are occurring each and every summer. The benefits of organic fertilizers are seemingly endless. Organic fertilizers create organic crops that will sell at a higher price than inorganic produce. Organic fertilizers replenish the soil with an abundance of long-lasting nutrients, while accelerating the growth of plants within that soil. And most importantly, organic fertilizers will reduce the amount of phosphorus that is in rainwater runoff that flows into Lake Erie. With that being said, it is clear that farmers must discontinue their use of synthetic fertilizers and convert to the use of organic fertilizers that won’t have such a negative impact on the