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Wednesday, June 6, 2012

 Combating Dead Zones




Dead zones have caused numerous problems for not only wildlife, by also for humans. An average of 75 percent of phosphorus and nitrogen emission happen to come from only nine of the fifty states in America. Countless times it has been scientifically observed that humans have indirectly contributed to this growing epidemic, why have they not reacted properly, then? Many have suggested that it would be considerably difficult to decide on a specific public policy quest in order to correctly reduce the problem. Others have stated that it would lead to an economic disadvantage, it would also be complicated and difficult to measure, especially in economic terms. Scientist, on the other hand, believe that a solution must be found; humans are jeopardizing future prosperity, with rash decisions in the present time. With this, solutions have been decided for particular regions of the world, one does not fit all. 
One approach for dead zone reduction in the area of agriculture, is an adoption of a fairly knew technique. The “best management practice” method formulates a plan to slowly decrease the amount of fertilizer that is run off into the water, through the implementation of careful planning and execution of planting. As implied before, farmers play a rule in the amount of dead zones that occur in a particular region. Farmers are known to utilize nutrient-rich fertilizers in order to enhance the growth of their crops, these fertilizers run through to lakes and areas of water, respectively causing a dead zone. This plan is highly costly for farmers, they must be able to employ agricultural methods such as no-till planting, in order that less fertilizer is being put in the ocean and more is being put in the soil. The disposal of human and animal waste could also be altered, with the intention of rightfully discarding harmful nutrients from the water. The restoration of wetlands and other natural buffers, can curtail the effects of fertilizers and nutrients that make their way to the ocean. Conservation, tax money, ensuring transparency, and setting specific goals and time-lines can aid in the effort of translating the dead zone-causing environment into a safe one. Though many of these solutions contain deterring prospects, when established, they will be able to solve a problem that threatens the life of many valuable organisms. By fluctuating present ways and activities, America, and the rest of the world, will be able to significantly decrease the amount of dead zones. With this, less wildlife will be jeopardized, and humanity will be able to prosper throughout future years.

By: Shaza Karam 

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