Download - Urban Fertilizer, Groundwater and Environmental Stewardship Clyde Graham January 14, 2011
Urban Fertilizer, Groundwater and Environmental Stewardship
Clyde GrahamJanuary 14, 2011
Fertilizer and the EnvironmentThe problem is when you have too much of
a good thing in the wrong placeAir pollution—ammonia losses to the airGreenhouse gas—N2O emissionsBluegreen Algae—Phosphorus and nitrogen
losses to lakes, rivers, oceansGroundwater contamination--nitrates
Groundwater in the News - PEI
Pace on P.E.I. nitrate pollution 'glacial'Monday, August 16, 2010 |CBC News
Agriculture, watersheds focus of nitrates reportWednesday, July 9, 2008 |CBC News
NITRATE COMMISSION REPORT PROVIDED TO ISLANDERSNews Releases, Tuesday, July 8, 2008 Premier's Office
Prince Edward Island Agriculture Gets Federal Investment to Improve and Protect Water ResourcesFeb 16, 2009Marketwire
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA BOOSTS ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS IN ISLAND AGRICULTURENews release, November 2007, AAFC
Groundwater in the News - Ontario
Well testing in Ontario County reveals health riskDec 27, 2010Messenger Post
Ground Water Monitoring Wells Test Higher Than Normal For Nitrate News Release, August 12, 2009 Grey Bruce Health Unit
Nitrate geochemistry of a regional aquifer in an agricultural landscape, Woodstock, Ontario, CanadaDru J. Heagle*, Ramon Aravena*, Sherry L. Schiff*, David Rudolph*, 26 October 2002 *University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Matching Nutrients With Crop Needs to Reduce Nitrogen Leaching
There is clear evidence of the relationship between groundwater nitrate levels and fertilizer application rates.
The key principle of nutrient management planning is to apply only the fertilizer or manure that can be absorbed by the crop and apply it at the right time. An effective nutrient management plan will optimize the crop yield and quality, minimize fertilizer costs and manure use, and protect soil and water.
Aquifers
In Canada, 8.9 million people, or 30.3% of the population, rely on groundwater for domestic use.
Health Concerns
The major health concern related to elevated nitrate levels in drinking water is methemoglobinemia or blue-baby syndrome.
Water with over 10 parts per million nitrate-nitrogen can cause methemoglobinemia (inability of the blood to supply oxygen) in infants and other health effects.
Concerns have been raised about possible links between nitrates and other illnesses, particularly some types of cancer and birth defects. Many studies have attempted to link these health effects to nitrates in drinking water. However, results have been inconclusive.
Nitrate (NO3-) is highly soluble
In porous, sandy, course soils it leach downward and contaminate groundwater supplies.
Water with over 10 parts per million nitrate-nitrogen can cause methemoglobinemia (inability of the blood to supply oxygen) in infants and other health effects.
Most problems have been traced to animal manure, septic tank sources, or fertilizer spills.
However, over-application of nitrogen fertilizer can also contribute to nitrate pollution, (University of Minnesota Extension)
2008 Report of the Commission on Nitrates in Groundwater, PEI
Reducing Nitrate Contamination From Cosmetic Use of Fertilizers
Issue: All fertilizers can contribute to nitrate
contamination of groundwater.
Background: Homeowner use of fertilizers is a
relatively small contributor to the overall nitrate contamination of ground and surface water in Prince Edward Island. Nonetheless, the practice of fertilizing lawns is widespread in urban and rural areas and contributes to nitrate contamination of the environment.
Recommendation: It is recommended that there be a
province-wide policy to reduce the use of fertilizers for cosmetic purposes.
AAFC Over-Application or Improper Storage of Manure
or Fertilizer Manure or fertilizer that is applied to land at a greater rate than growing crops can utilize the nutrients can result in nitrates leaching into groundwater. Fertilizer that is applied to lawns or gardens at excessive rates may also contribute.
Prevention: Balance the nutrient requirements of your crops with the nutrient content of the manure or fertilizer. Conduct regular soil and manure tests and maintain accurate records of application. Storage of manure concentrates nutrients in one location which can increase risk of contamination.
Prevention: Manure storage facilities should be designed and constructed correctly.
Nitrate risk factors Nitrogen rate - One study showed that at one pound of
nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, no leaching occurred. Nitrogen source - Slow-release fertilizers are a nitrogen
source that can reduce the chance of leaching. Application timing - In late fall, plants take up less nitrogen
and there is a greater chance for leaching to occur. Irrigation practices - The more irrigation that takes place the
greater the chances for nitrate leaching. Soil texture - The sandier the soil the more chance for
nitrate leaching. Age of site - Younger sites usually have less organic matter
and need to be fertilized more therefore increasing the chance of leaching. (Bocher, 1995)
Urban Fertilizer Council Members:
ScottsSure-GroAgrium Advanced
Technologies Stewardship focus Educate homeowners,
public Provide tools to municipal
officials Low P standard
4R Urban StewardshipIndustry has been working with Canadian
Food Inspection Agency for a number of years
4R type stewardship messages will be mandatory on all lawn fertilizer in Canada by Dec. 31, 2013 with garden products to follow
Companies will implement with package redesign >> Branding window limited
Messaging will reach ~10 million households
Best Management Practices Right Product – Use the correct fertilizer for
your soil conditionsHave your soil tested every couple of years to
determine what type of fertilizer nutrients are neededWhen purchasing your own fertilizer, look for products
that contain slowly available nitrogen. Slowly available nitrogen can be found in organic and synthetic forms
Carefully read and follow the directions on the fertilizer bag. Those directions are there to ensure the best results for your lawn and the environment
Best Management Practices Right Rate - Use the right amount of
fertilizerFollow fertilizer rate recommendations. More
is not always better Too much fertilizer can result in burning and
yellow strips in your lawnUse a good quality spreader and make sure
to check the setting
Best Management Practices Right Time – Use fertilizer at the right
time of the yearKnow your lawn and the grass variety. Different grass
varieties require different fertilizer timings for best results
Lawns go through a normal period of dormancy during the driest parts of summer. During that time, you should not fertilizer your lawn – let it rest
During dormancy, reduce the amount of foot-traffic and stop mowing. As the rain returns grass will green up in 7-10 days
Fertilizer shouldn’t be applied when the ground is frozen or just before a heavy rain is expected
Best Management Practices Right Place – Make sure fertilizer stays
where it has the most benefit to your lawn and the least impact on the environment and our waterwaysKeep fertilizer off hard surfaces such as driveways,
patios and sidewalks. Clean up any spills immediatelyLeave a small strip unfertilized on the edge of the lawnAvoid fertilizing steep slopes or gulliesKeep fertilizer away from run-off into storm sewers,
rivers, lakes and pondsFertilizer should only be used as a source of nutrients
for lawns and gardens. Fertilizer should not be used to de-ice walkways and driveways
Lawn Care Practices in Ontario More than 50% fertilized
their lawn last year Only 14% use a service –
unchanged since 1995 Most people make two
applications per year 75% changed their lawn
care practices in the past year: most common change was to hand weed
Trigger to buy = retail flyers & front of store placement
Source: Ipsos Reid November 2009
EDUCATION CAN DRIVE BEST PRACTICES
Lawn Fertilizer BMPsRead the bagKnow the size of your
lawnBuy what you needUse it up following label
directionsRight product. Right rate.
Right place. Right time.Choose the right
productShare or store leftover
fertilizer for next year
Education on Package
Source: Ipsos Reid November 2009
Choose the right product for the job.
Read the label for best practices – Right rate!
Keep from water, hard surfaces – Right place!
Don’t use when rainfall expected – Right time!
The bag is the number one source of information for fertilizer users: 43%
Thank You