Nutrients

Nutrients

Nutrients are essential to water life, but too much can harm more than help.

Phosphorous, nitrogen, and potassium are nutrients that help plants and animals grow.

Found in fertilizer, sewage, detergents, and animal wastes, these elements are not harmful to the environment in low doses. However, excess nutrients in an already healthy environment can be dangerous. Nutrients carried by stormwater runoff from the land into the water become nonpoint source pollutants.

Too many nutrients can cause an overgrowth of vegetation or bloom of algae—tiny plants that give water a green to blue-green color. Eventually the excess plants die and decay. The decaying process depletes oxygen in the water, leaving less for aquatic plants and animals. The balance of life in the stream ecosystem is interrupted and disturbed.

An overgrowth of algae also minimizes the amount of light that can reach aquatic plants. An increase in dead organic material from the dying plants exacerbates the problems associated with low oxygen levels.

Make a Difference

Use fertilizers and pesticides only when necessary and then at recommended rates. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application.
Ensure that animal waste from operations such as dairies, chicken, hog, and horse operations, feed lots, and catfish ponds is managed properly.
Make sure septic tanks work properly.
Use low-or no-phosphate detergent.
When operating a boat, be sure to handle trash and wastewater properly.

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