Dangers of the Use of Fertilizer
While fertilizers are often credited with the success of the Green Revolution and our ability to feed a growing global population, their intensive and often indiscriminate use has come at a significant cost. The "dangers" of fertilizers are not typically found in the products themselves when used correctly, but rather in the systemic consequences of over-application, runoff, and the long-term degradation of the very ecosystems they are intended to support. 1. Environmental Devastation: Eutrophication and "Dead Zones" The most visible danger of synthetic fertilizers—particularly those high in nitrogen and phosphorus—is their impact on aquatic ecosystems. When excess nutrients are washed by rain into rivers, lakes, and oceans, they trigger a process called eutrophication . 3 Algal Blooms: The influx of nutrients causes an explosion in algae growth. 4 These "blooms" can block sunlight from reaching underwater plants and, in some cases, release toxins t...
