Leaching is when substances are removed from a solid by dissolving it in a liquid and results in the removal of metal ions from topsoil which allows for their movement into lower levels of soil and into surface water. The leaching of fertilizers have a negative effect on water sources because leaching adds an excessive amount of nutrients into the body of water then it is used to having. The excess nutrients often contain nitrogen and phosphorous is bad because it can lead to a rapid growth of algae and other forms of aquatic life. The increased amount of fertilizers in the water can lead to skin irritation, swollen lips, allergic reactions like hay fever, rashes and sore eyes for people and even animals that use the body of water.
Government regulations on fertilizers are controlled by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The Fertilizer Act states that all controlled fertilizer and relating products need to be properly labeled, and safe for humans, animals, plants and the environment. Fertilizers cannot be used sold or imported unless they have met all the safety standards.
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An algal bloom is when algae grows rapidly in a body of water. Algal blooms can happen in freshwater and marine environments.The increased growth of algae can result in large amounts of organic matter. When decomposers start to break down the organic matter they use large amounts of oxygen in the water which takes away the oxygen from other animals and species in the water. The animals often die from suffocation because of the lack of oxygen they receive. Algal blooms can occur for many reasons such as high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous which occurs from runoff containing fertilizer. Decomposition is when organic matter is broken down into a simpler form. The bodies of organisms begin to decompose slowly once they die. Decomposition involves 5 stages which are Fresh, Bloat, Active decay, Advanced decay and Dry/remains. Biochemical oxygen demand is a measurement of the quality of oxygen used by microorganisms. The algal blooms have a negative effect on biochemical oxygen demand because they use and take up oxygen from the microorganisms and that lowers the quality of oxygen.
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Some alternatives for fertilizers are acidic soil, leaving grass clippings on the lawn, adding compost to your lawn, aerating the lawn, and adding clover. All these methods help put back natural nutrients into the soil without adding excess nitrogen and phosphorus.