Sadly, our food production systems have negative side effects on water. Earth can regulate itself naturally. However, human farming makes it harder<\/a> for Earth to do so. Under such stress, water may fail to sustain life.<\/p>\n The most common sources of water pollution are fertilizer runoff and manure. However, many sources add<\/a> to risky water runoff:<\/p>\n Pesticides are made with chemicals that kill off bugs and other threats to crops. These chemicals are dangerous<\/a> when ingested by humans.<\/p>\n Pesticides also have side effects for crops. Farmers use fertilizers to negate these effects. Fertilizers are filled with nutrients to support plant growth. Fertilizer in water runoff, however, causes pollution in water systems.<\/p>\n Animal agriculture also poses the risk of spreading disease. The risk is highest for people working with animals directly. However, certain diseases can spread<\/a> from animals to humans by wastewater.<\/p>\n Better regulation of the agriculture industry can lower the risks of diseases, hormones, and pollutants for civilians.<\/p>\n Of these hazards, phosphorus and nitrogen pollution impact water systems the most. Commercial fertilizer and animal manure are responsible for this.<\/p>\n Nitrogen pollution is also related to eating excess protein<\/a>. If a person eats enough protein, their body will excrete excess nitrogen. When it hits waterways, it can disrupt the natural balance.<\/p>\n Nitrogen pollution harms water life in a process called eutrophication<\/a>. Eutrophication means excess nutrients in water. Unfortunately, these nutrients aren\u2019t a positive thing.<\/p>\n How do these pollutants go from simple runoff to environmental hazards<\/a>?<\/p>\n One of the most concerning dead zones in North America is the Gulf of Mexico.<\/p>\n The Corn Belt<\/a> includes states in the U.S. midwest:<\/p>\n The area is called the \u201cCorn Belt\u201d for their primary product: corn. However, these states house farms for all sorts of products.<\/p>\n Contaminated water runoff<\/a> from these farms makes its way to the Mississippi River. From there, it travels down into the Gulf of Mexico.<\/p>\n The relationship between the midwest Corn Belt and the Gulf of Mexico tells us something important. Water runoff can travel great distances and cause damage in completely different regions. Handling this runoff must be a joint effort. In this case, those closest to the problem are at the mercy of faraway farms.<\/p>\n Agriculture is a global industry, and a crucial one. After all, we all need food to live. Regulating pollution requires new technology, as well as social and political efforts.<\/p>\n On a personal level, certain lifestyle changes<\/a> like eating less meat can make a difference. Researchers are also creating new technology<\/a> for farmers. These creations will help farmers use water more efficiently.<\/p>\n Save The Water\u2122 also has a solution to this problem. The AOT\u2122 System<\/a> allows farming wastewater to be recycled into fertilizer and other useful products. This saves water systems from being polluted, and helps farmers cut costs.<\/p>\n Despite this technology, some resist<\/a> reusing wastewater in farming.<\/p>\nTypes of Contamination From Agriculture<\/h2>\n
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The Impact of Agriculture Pollutants<\/h2>\n
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Case Study: How the \u201cCorn Belt\u201d Creates Dead Zones in the Gulf<\/h2>\n
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Solutions for the Agriculture Industry<\/h2>\n