Environmental problems derived from chemical fertilizers
The Chemical fertilizers are synthetic chemicals used in agriculture to provide essential nutrients to plants. These fertilizers are made from chemical raw materials and are designed to increase crop production by providing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which are essential macronutrients for plant growth.
However, they have negative impacts on the environment and human health, such as water pollution, loss of biodiversity, eutrophication of water bodies, and the emission of greenhouse gases. For this reason, many farmers and consumers are looking for more sustainable alternatives, such as organic fertilizers and conservation agriculture.
5 environmental problems caused by chemical fertilizers
There are several problems derived from the use of chemical fertilizers. Here are the top 5:
- Water contamination: chemical fertilizers can leach into groundwater aquifers and contaminate drinking water sources.
- Biodiversity loss: chemical fertilizers and other chemicals can kill plants and animals living in natural ecosystems, which can affect biodiversity.
- Eutrophication of bodies of water: Excesses of nitrogen and phosphorus in bodies of water can cause an increase in algal and bacterial blooms, which can deplete oxygen resources and suffocate aquatic life.
- Emissions of greenhouse gases: the production and use of chemical fertilizers can emit greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, which contributes to climate change.
- Air pollution: the production and use of chemical fertilizers can release toxic compounds into the air, such as ammonia and nitrogen oxides, which can be harmful to human health and the environment.
In general, chemical fertilizers can have severe environmental impacts, which is why the use of organic fertilizers.
Chemical fertilizers vs organic fertilizers
The main difference between chemical fertilizers and lies in their origin and composition:
- Chemical fertilizers: They are synthetic products made from chemical raw materials and designed to rapidly provide nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to plants. They can have negative impacts on the environment and human health, such as water pollution, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Organic fertilizers: They are natural or synthetic products that do not contain toxic compounds and are produced without harming the environment. They include organic fertilizers such as manure, compost, and sewage sludge, and may also include synthetic fertilizers that are made using more sustainable processes. Organic fertilizers can improve soil health, increase biodiversity and reduce pollution.
In any case, the organic fertilizers are an alternative more sustainable and respectful environmentally friendly to chemical fertilizers.
In Defeder we work only with 100% ecological and ecoviable fertilizers for agriculture and animal feed. Undoubtedly, our objective is to promote sustainable agriculture, thus contributing to having a healthier future.