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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