Concerns on what newer, modern-day farming techniques are actually doing to our environment have surfaced in the agriculture community, making it one of agricultures biggest problems today. Agricultural pollution refers the byproducts of farming that cause contamination or degradation of the environment. This however, is a very general definition. The truth of the matter is, no single cause can be pinpointed as the leading contributor in the dilemma, but rather a series of issues creating this controversial mess.
One present-day, environmental concern in agriculture is pesticides/fertilizers. Pesticides and fertilizers have been around for a very long time, and they are a huge part of farming. Farmers use pesticides and fertilizers to protect their crops from being damaged and harmed by local pests. However, these local pests have become more resistant to the original pesticides and fertilizers, so harsher versions have been produced. These harsher pesticides and fertilizers are full of unnatural chemicals not normally found in nature. Once sprayed, much of it will be absorbed by the plants, often eaten by local animals, causing them contamination. The rest of the spray will seep into the ground, contaminating groundwater with these toxic chemicals.
Contaminated water used to irrigate crops is another source of pollution. Much of the water used for irrigation is clean, fresh water from ground reservoirs, canals, and rains. However, some of this water can be polluted, due to past, improper disposal of industrial and agricultural waste. This water is full of mercury, arsenic, lead and cadmium.When crops absorb this water, they absorb the chemicals with it, causing crop failure, making the fight on agricultural pollution even more difficult.
Another modern-day problem we see in agriculture is soil erosion and sedimentation. Soil is composed of many layers, however only the top most layer can support farming and grazing. However, due to inefficient farming practices, this top soil can be left open, and the soil can be eroded away, causing a decrease in soil fertility. Eroded soil must be deposited somewhere, and in this case, it is often deposited in local streams, rivers, and ditches. This build up of soil often causes blockage, making water movement difficult, causing it to stagnate and ultimately become unusable.
Above are a few agricultural pollution problems among many that the field faces today. The pressure to find solutions for these issues has become greater, as environmental concerns become more prevalent in today's society. Agriculture is a field that cannot cease to exist, for it is what feeds the world. Because of this, a sustainable practice of it must be developed, so it does not go from being what keeps us alive, to what ultimately destroys us.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_pollution
Contaminated water used to irrigate crops is another source of pollution. Much of the water used for irrigation is clean, fresh water from ground reservoirs, canals, and rains. However, some of this water can be polluted, due to past, improper disposal of industrial and agricultural waste. This water is full of mercury, arsenic, lead and cadmium.When crops absorb this water, they absorb the chemicals with it, causing crop failure, making the fight on agricultural pollution even more difficult.
Another modern-day problem we see in agriculture is soil erosion and sedimentation. Soil is composed of many layers, however only the top most layer can support farming and grazing. However, due to inefficient farming practices, this top soil can be left open, and the soil can be eroded away, causing a decrease in soil fertility. Eroded soil must be deposited somewhere, and in this case, it is often deposited in local streams, rivers, and ditches. This build up of soil often causes blockage, making water movement difficult, causing it to stagnate and ultimately become unusable.Above are a few agricultural pollution problems among many that the field faces today. The pressure to find solutions for these issues has become greater, as environmental concerns become more prevalent in today's society. Agriculture is a field that cannot cease to exist, for it is what feeds the world. Because of this, a sustainable practice of it must be developed, so it does not go from being what keeps us alive, to what ultimately destroys us.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_pollution
http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-and-effects-of-agricultural-pollution.php
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-03-12/water-pollution-from-farming-is-worsening-costing-billions
http://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/sources-and-solutions-agriculture
The pictures helped show what you wanted to push and show how bad this effect can be. We see it today in Flint and other places. Your blog was well done and Besides rereading your post and seeing if you want to clear any wording or adding deffinitions you did a great job.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures helped show what you wanted to push and show how bad this effect can be. We see it today in Flint and other places. Your blog was well done and Besides rereading your post and seeing if you want to clear any wording or adding deffinitions you did a great job.
ReplyDelete