Fertilizers
Fertilizers can help plants grow, but when applied in excessive amounts, fertilizers can harm water quality and aquatic ecosystems.
Fertilizers are made of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. When it rains, these nutrients are carried by stormwater into the nearest stream, river, or other water body. Too many nutrients in water can cause algae to grow, which uses up the oxygen in the water. Low levels of oxygen in water can hurt aquatic wildlife and even lead to fish kills.
You may not see the effect of fertilizers in stormwater right where you live, but their detrimental effects are very apparent in Oklahoma's rivers and estuaries.
Related Information
- http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/nutmgt.html
- http://www.beyondpesticides.org/pesticidefreelawns/resources/index.htm
Source: www.nccwep.org
