Human beings have severely impacted the global phosphorus cycle. The application of phosphorus based fertilizers to the soil and increased amount of phosphorus in livestock feed is causing more phosphorus in manure. This leads to an increase in the phosphorus content of the soil. The erosion of this soil, coupled with surface runoff, is causing an increased amount of phosphorus in our water resources. This situation has been worsened by poor land management practices and...
Human beings have severely impacted the global phosphorus cycle. The application of phosphorus based fertilizers to the soil and increased amount of phosphorus in livestock feed is causing more phosphorus in manure. This leads to an increase in the phosphorus content of the soil. The erosion of this soil, coupled with surface runoff, is causing an increased amount of phosphorus in our water resources. This situation has been worsened by poor land management practices and deforestation. Water resources also receive phosphorous pollutants through phosphorous containing detergents.
A number of steps can be taken to minimize the human impact on the phosphorus cycle. One step would be to control the amount of phosphorus input to the soil through limited fertilizer application. Similarly, we can control the amount of phosphorus in animal feed. Appropriate soil protection measures, including strategic uses of plants and modern farming techniques will ensure lesser surface runoff. We can also find alternative detergents that do not contain phosphorus. An awareness of phosphorus pollution and sharing of responsibility by all the stakeholders is also needed.
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