Food security remains one of the challenges facing the world today. Nations across the globe have embraced mechanized agriculture, which encourage use of synthetic fertilizers, reclamation of wetlands, and use of chemicals thus interfering with soil fertility, marine life, ground water, and estuarine environments. Synthetic fertilizers contain high levels of nutrients such as nitrogen, calcium, ammonia, phosphate, phosphorus, and magnesium, which increase crop yields and maturity. However, prolonged use of synthetic fertilizers has detrimental effects on the environment as it alters nitrogen cycle and facilitates accumulation of nitrogen compounds in water, soil, and atmosphere. Large amount of nitrogen in water bodies alters algae growth and decomposition thus leading to hypoxia (Perry, 1). This condition occurs when the amount of oxygen dissolved in water cannot support marine life and plant growth.
Gulf of Mexico is one of the regions in America that experience hypoxia caused by accumulation of nitrate compounds in water. Although Gulf of Mexico has favorable conditions for marine life and fisheries, it cannot benefit from fishing activity because of nitrogen flux in the region (Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science, 1). It has been established that approximately 1.53 metric tons of nitrogen compounds from the neighboring states of Indiana, Ohio, and Lowa flow into Mississippi river and find their way into Gulf of Mexico. Nearly, 65% of nitrogen flux in the region emanates from use of synthetic fertilizers, while animal and plant fertilizers and industrial and sewage effluents account for 24% and 11% respectively. Challenges accruing from nitrogen influx will escalate further because of deforestation, urbanization, and clearing of vegetation cover. Forest and vegetation cover retain and covert nitrate compounds into nitrogen gas thus reducing nitrogen influx. Based on this assertion, it is clear that nitrogen flux has detrimental impacts on the environment and should be addressed effectively. However who should be responsible for this task is the question to be addressed.
The responsibility of controlling nitrogen influx in the region needs collaboration and cooperation from the involved parties. It is the moral responsibility of farmers, government bodies and ministries, policy makers, political leaders and members of the society to address this challenge. The government should formulate policies that will advocate for effective use of synthetic fertilizers, good agricultural practices, restoration of wetlands, creation of dykes to control flooding in Mississippi basin, hire and train extension agricultural officers and, control sewage, and industrial effluents discharge (SeaWeb, 1). Political leaders should educate and encourage members of the public to follow environmental policies and embrace good farming practices. Experts affirm that nitrogen flux can be reduced by fifty percent when farmers use fertilizers effectively and efficient based on quantity and time. For instance, farmers should plant crops that utilize nitrate elements during fall and winter seasons. Similarly, farmers can plant grass cover and forests near water bodies so that to filter nitrogen and phosphorus compounds in the soil; an idea that will reduce eutrophication and water pollution (Hermann, 1). Based on this fact, it is evident that it is the responsible of leaders, members of the community and government agencies to address the issue of nitrogen flux in Gulf of Mexico.
Apart from embracing good farming practices and controlling industrial and sewage discharge, the state governments, and federal government should formulate and implement environmental policies. Establishing environmental policies will help state and federal governments’ contain the situation, control eutrophication, and maintain balance in biodiversity. Although both governments have the responsibility of protecting and conserving the environment, state governments should be accorded the role of enforcing environment policies because they understand dynamism and challenges they face. Additionally, state governments mainly focuses on the needs of the people and operate locally thus easing the implementation process. On the other hand, federal government should perform an oversight role, advice state governments and provide financial and technical skills during the implementation process; a move that will lead to environmental conservation.
Works Cited
DUJS Online — The Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science. " Eutrophication in the Gulf of Mexico: How Midwestern farming practices are creating a ‘Dead Zone’." DUJS Online — The Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science. Version 1. DUJS Online — The Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science, 11 Mar. 2012. Web. 7 June 2013. <http://dujs.dartmouth.edu/winter-2012/eutrophication-in-the-gulf-of-mexico-how-midwestern-farming-practices-are-creating-a-%E2%80%98dead-zone%E2%80%99#.UbEv1GUmzIU>.
Hermann Mo. "Dead Zone Pollution Is Growing Despite Decades of Work, So Who's the Culprit? | Alternet." Home | Alternet. Version 1. Home | Alternet, 12 July 2012. Web. 7 June 2013. <http://www.alternet.org/story/156294/dead_zone_pollution_is_growing_despite_decades_of_work,_so_who%27s_the_culprit>.
Perry , Beeman. "Years of work fail to cut flow of nitrates into Gulf." Deis Moines Register.com. Version 1. Deis Moines Register.com, 28 Oct. 2012. Web. 7 June 2013. <www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20121029/NEWS/310290012/Years-work-fail-cut-flow-nitrates-into-Gulf>.
SeaWeb.0rg. "SeaWeb - Ocean Briefing Book." SeaWeb.org. Version 1. Ocean Briefing Book, n.d. Web. 7 June 2013. <http://www.seaweb.org/resources/briefings/dead_zone.php>
