Article: Phosphorous a looming crisis

Author: David A. Vaccari

Main Points When it comes to growing plants these numbers are the most important 19-12-5 they are the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium In the 20th century these nutrients made it possible for the fertilizer to grow crops Nitrogen comes from the air Potassium is everywhere Phosphorous must be mined U.S is the second largest producer of phosphorous 65% of the phosphorus in the U.S comes from a single source Nearly 40% of the reserves are controlled by a single country Phosphorous is usually in the form of phosphate ion PO43 Land ecosystems use phosphorous in a local cycle about 46 times Marine organisms use it up to 800 times before it passes to the sediment Morocco, China, South Africa and the U.S. hold 83 percent of the worlds easily phosphate Altogether phosphorous flows are about 37 million metric tons per year About 22 million metric tons comes from mining Fertilizer runoff with the phosphorous create eutrophication in the ocean We can reduce fertilizer usage through new ways of agriculture No-till farming diminishes erosion Half of the phosphorous we excrete comes from our urine

Summary: The key to a good fertilizer id nitrogen potassium and phosphorous. Nitrogen and potassium are easy to get because it is everywhere. Phosphorous is harder to get because it has to be mined. When phosphorous is in the soil it can be used and reused 46 times. Marine organisms can reuse it up to 800 times. The U.S and China are the biggest producers of phosphate. Phosphorous is good for our soil but if it releases into the ocean it can cause eutrophication. There are other methods of agriculture that can be used.

My thoughts: I think that phosphorous is a good thing because without it crops wouldnt be able to grow and we wouldnt have enough food. But it must be kept under control because if it is released to the ocean in runoff it can make too much eutrophication and can lead to a dead zone. So what? Phosphorus Is essential for fertilizer but it is harmful at the same time What if? If everybody uses other methods of agriculture how much would the amount of phosphorous released will be reduced What does this remind me of? I dont know what this reminds me of Say who? David A. Vaccari