|
|
|
|
The objective of World Water Day 2011 is to focus international attention on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems.
This year theme, Water for cities: responding to the urban challenge, aims to spotlight and encourage governments, organizations, communities, and individuals to actively engage in addressing the challenges of urban water management.
> Speech Ban Ki Moon 18 March 2011
> UN video - World Water Day 2011 - Message by the UN Deputy Secretary-General
|
|
|
|
The fertilizer industry is committed to reduce any possible negative impacts of fertilizer production and use on the environment, and in particular on fresh water and marine ecosystems. Manufacturers and industry associations are working together, sharing information and changing practices to achieve a cleaner, more efficient and sustainable fertilizer production. The adoption of Fertilizer Best Management Practices (FBMPs) will contribute to the more efficient use of plant nutrients in order to control possible losses to the environment, including runoff to waterways.
Good nutrient management for water quality
Proper nutrition predisposes plants to absorb and use water efficiently. And adequate moisture allows plants to take up optimal levels of nutrients. Furthermore, fertile soils retain more water, which is good for crops over time and is an important part of the natural water cycle.
Nonetheless, the most commonly discussed link between water and soil fertility relates to the presence of agricultural nutrients, whether from croplands or livestock production, in ground and surface waters. The fertilizer industry rarely talks about water protection, which is the effect; we focus instead on the cause and the need to improve nutrient use efficiency.
Good nutrient management favours optimal uptake by plants. As well as preventing nutrient losses to the environment, this is good for plant health, crop quality and yields. It also raises the returns on farmers' investments.
Feeding crops well to reduce nutrient losses in marine ecosystems
Nitrogen is a vital element for life on Earth. Plants need nitrogen because it stimulates root growth and crop development, it promotes protein content, and it improves the uptake of other essential plant nutrients. In most natural systems, “reactive” or "fixed" nitrogen is the most limiting factor in plant growth. This finding led to the development and rapid adoption of nitrogen-based fertilizers during the 20th century, such as urea and ammonium nitrate. The use of synthetic fertilizers has contributed to the dramatic increase in crop yields, which has allowed countries to sustain their ever-increasing population.
When nitrogen is applied to crops in the form of animal manure or synthetic fertilizers, not all of it is taken up by the plants. The rest may be retained in the soil, or lost to the atmosphere, ground or surface waters. Excessive concentration of nutrients may contribute in certain marine ecosystems to eutrophication. This phenomenon has a plurality of causes, of which some are human-related such as agricultural runoff and lack of or poor waste water treatment. When excessive nutrients are carried through freshwater ways and then reach the marine ecosystems, they accelerate plant growth leading to algal blooms, oxygen depletion and sometimes fish death. Eutrophication occurs mostly in Semi-Enclosed Marine Systems (SEMS), such as the Baltic Sea or the Gulf of Mexico, because of the physical barriers that limit free exchange of seawater between these systems and the open ocean.
To address this important environmental concern, the fertilizer industry is working consistently with the farmers to reduce its footprint. On the production side, companies are improving operational practices, investing in effluent control, reducing the emissions to air, land and water and restructuring production plants. On the consumption side, the industry is promoting education on the safest and most efficient techniques for using fertilizers with farmers’ associations, industry and government organizations. This strategy aims at optimizing nutrient use efficiency to reduce losses.
Fertilizer Best Management Practices (FBMPs)
have been developed by the fertilizer industry, research institutions and farmers organizations for achieving these objectives.
Page top
Print
Share