How can nitrogen from manure affect water quality and human health?
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth, and is one of the primary components of manure and commercial fertilizers. However, although nitrogen is very productive when applied to crops, excess nitrogen can have negative impacts in our lakes, rivers, and groundwater. • Because of its fertilizing properties, nitrogen is a key contributing factor to algae growth in streams and lakes. • Excess nitrogen in rivers and streams can be toxic to aquatic animals at high levels. This toxicity is due to ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH), which is produced at greater rates under conditions that are common where waste spills have occurred (such as low oxygen levels, high pH, and high temperature). Toxic levels of ammonium hydroxide are usually due to pollution from manure and sewage spills, and can result in fish kills and loss of other aquatic organisms. • Nitrogen pollution also leads to human health concerns about groundwater contamination. Unlike phosphorus, which binds to the soil’s surface,
