Water pollution sp 09
Water Pollution in Carlisle
Agricultural Runoff Agricultural Runoff is one of the leading contributors to water quality impacts on surveyed lakes and rivers in the United States. http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:zTfmf90Te_QJ:www.epa.gov/owow/nps/Ag_Runoff_Fact_Sheet.pdf+agricultural+runoff+water+quality+carlisle&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us In Carlisle it is the most significant potential contributor to the contamination of local water sources such as the Conodoguinet Creek. Agricultural runoff is the result of both crop growth and animal feeding operations. Crops Soil sedimentation is the most prevalent source of water contamination due to agricultural runoff. Rainwater washes soil off fields polluting streams and water sources nearby. This excess soil clouds water and damages aquatic plants by eliminating their source of sunlight. This soil can also clog the gills of fish and other aquatic wildlife. Fertilizers and pesticides attached to these soil particles also have an adverse effect on water quality. The agricultural industry has become increasingly dependent on the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Fertilizers contain high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous. When phosphorous is carried into water sources it leads to accelerated eutrophication of these waters, limiting their use for fisheries, drinking, and recreation (Lal). Animal Feeding Operations Farmers confine animals to small areas in order to make feeding and maintaining these animals more efficient. These areas then become sources of animal waste. If farmers don’t properly maintain their animal feeding operations, this waste which carries bacteria and viruses as well as oxygen-demanding organic compounds, runs off into nearby water sources. Animal waste can also seep into and contaminate groundwater.
