Bio-fuel, a great alternative to petrol based fuels, is unfortunately
contributing to the Gulf Deadzone. In an interesting article found on
gulfhypoxia.net I learned that the incentives for ethanol (corn) based fuels and
subsequent increase in farmland used for the corn is creating an influx of even
more fertilizer to the Gulf. Changes to
the legislation must be considered if the fertilizer input is to decrease.
One proposed option is to forgo corn based fuel altogether instead
opting for a cellulose ethonal. This cellulose
based ethanol has a more complex refining process however uses markedly less fertilizer
and produces more net energy.
Who knew that energy policies could have such an impact on Dead
Zones?
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