Fertilizer runoff has been attributed as a critical pollution source to dead zones around the world, but recent decreases in water quality in Green Bay are now garnering attention on this issue and the contributing pollution sources locally. While the proper use of fertilizer is invaluable to meeting the rising demands of food production worldwide, the overuse of fertilizer is threatening the long-term sustainability of the Lower Fox River and Bay of Green Bay watershed, an area of water crucial to supporting agriculture, industry, tourism, and residents in northeast Wisconsin. However, with the growing dead zone in Lake Michigan’s Green Bay worsening at an accelerated rate in recent years, this sustainability is threatened.
What is a Dead Zone?
A dead zone is a hypoxic (i.e. low oxygen) area found in large bodies of water such as oceans and lakes. The depleted oxygen levels in a dead zone render the area uninhabitable for most marine life. A dead zone is caused by excessive nutrient pollution from industrial waste, municipal sewage, and urban and agricultural runoff. The largest tributary to the bay, the Lower Fox River, contributes the majority of pollutant loads. The excess nutrients found in runoff promote an excessive growth of algae, otherwise referred to as eutrophication. Bacteria decompose the algae when they die, depleting the oxygen in the water and resulting in a hypoxic area that is unable to support aquatic life.
Unfortunately, this is not a new problem in Green Bay. Incidents of hypoxia have been noted in the bay since the 1930’s and have been worsening at an alarming rate. Shockingly, Green Bay’s dead zone may already consume up to 40% of the bay, as reported by the Metropolitan Sewerage District of Green Bay.
Dead Zone Remediation
Dead zones are reversible, but restoration is typically expensive, often costing millions of dollars. A better solution to this growing problem is to keep the nutrients from entering waterways in the first place.
Because most pollutants enter the water through the erosion of soil, proper fertilizing techniques are crucial to preventing and reducing the movement of nutrients and other pollutants into ground or surface water. “Nutrient runoff from fertilizer primarily occurs because of over-application or application at the wrong time of year (e.g. frozen ground). Synthetic or organic fertilizers both have the potential to runoff into waterways if incorrectly applied,” said Mandy Peterson, FEECO Research and Development Specialist.
Although fertilizer runoff is a major source of pollution to a dead zone, not all fertilizers are adding to this problem. In fact, granular fertilizers like the ones FEECO aids in developing, help to avoid contributing to this problem in commercial and residential applications while providing additional benefits to the entire fertilization process.
While many nutrients can cause eutrophication, phosphorus has been targeted as the limiting nutrient. Phosphorus is now banned from being sold in fertilizers in 12 states, including Wisconsin, and is only permitted to be used in necessary applications with phosphorous deficiencies.
Combatting the Dead Zone Problem
The importance of fertilizer use is substantial: it enriches nutrient-deficient soil, creates ideal conditions for plant productivity, and sustains the world’s increasing need for food. Traditional fertilizer practices follow the false assumption that additional fertilizer applications will generate increased benefits. But more is often not better, and in this case, the continual practice of applying excess fertilizer instead of proper amounts of specific nutrients is creating runoff. A consistent fertilizer product applied at the right times of year will actually help reduce the dead zone problem world-wide while continuing to reap the numerous benefits that fertilizers provide.
In order to mitigate environmental risks such as runoff of fertilizer nutrients, a precise fertilizer solution is required. FEECO’s strength is in helping companies create precise fertilizer products through the development of granulation technologies and equipment. Because the fertilizer granulation process creates a dry pellet, it allows for precise formulations and applications. Plants receive exactly what they need, substantially decreasing runoff opportunities. Another added benefit to dry pellets is that they can be stored and used when needed, versus traditional fertilizers, such as manure, that must be applied immediately.
FEECO also addresses fertilizer runoff by making fertilizer granulation equipment that produces a consistent fertilizer product. “This consistency allows growers to use the precise amount of fertilizer, so plants receive the correct amount of nutrients for optimal growth, avoiding excessive amounts of fertilizer that could runoff into waterways and cause eutrophication and dead zones,” said Peterson.
In addition to providing fertilizer granulation solutions and equipment that work to decrease fertilizer runoff, FEECO is committed to providing guidance and support in community efforts to restore the condition of the bay. Because the bay’s water quality is threatened by various pollution sources, many groups are involved in addressing this issue. One such organization, the Brown County Phosphorous Committee, is developing a cost-effective, long-term solution to address this growing local problem. Their focus is to create a partnership among agriculture, industry, municipalities, and various government units to attain healthy and economically viable waters. Lee Hoffman, Vice President of FEECO, is a member of this valuable committee.
While dead zones and fertilizer runoff are a growing problem, solutions are evolving to effectively address and prevent this environmental issue while continuing to meet ever-growing food production needs. Consistency in product handling, manufacturing processes, and enhanced environmental protection all demand the latest in fertilizer granulation technology and equipment, and that’s exactly what FEECO delivers.
For more information on fertilizer granulation, contact us today!