Nutrient pollution

Chesapeake Bay Journal Article Features Key Bion-Sponsored Pennsylvania Legislation

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Regions of the United States, Mid-Atlantic states, States of the United States, Intracoastal Waterway, Chesapeake Bay, Nutrient pollution, MARYLAND

Landmark clean water legislation in Pennsylvania was featured in an article published November 20, 2019, in the Chesapeake Bay Journal, Will the private sector get a crack at reducing nutrient pollution in PA?

Key Points: 
  • Landmark clean water legislation in Pennsylvania was featured in an article published November 20, 2019, in the Chesapeake Bay Journal, Will the private sector get a crack at reducing nutrient pollution in PA?
  • The bill passed the state Senate on June 26 and may soon come to a vote in the House of Representatives."
  • "The bill has changed significantly from early drafts," said Ann Pesiri Swanson, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, which consists of legislators from Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
  • Tapping these high-impact low-cost solutions from the private sector offers Pennsylvania and its taxpayers an opportunity to meet their Bay pollution obligations at a much lower cost.

Brexit presents challenges and opportunities to tackle nitrate pollution

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Chemistry, Soil science, Nature, Water pollution, Agricultural soil science, Biogeochemical cycle, Biogeography, Fishkeeping, Nitrogen cycle, Nitrate, Fertilizer, Nutrient pollution

Environmental Audit Committee report on UK progress on reducing nitrate pollution published

Key Points: 

High levels of nitrate pollution

    Nitrate ‘time bomb’

    • Their overuse in the past has led to a nitrate time bomb which is still working its way through into many of our ground water sources, from which much of our drinking water is drawn.
    • Nitrates are connected to wider nitrogen pollution because of the nitrogen cycle, including nitrogen oxides and ammonia.

    Dangers of 'a governance gap’

    • While regulation of water and air quality is based on EU legislation and mainly devolved, todays report, UK Progress on Reducing Nitrate Pollution, re-iterates the Committees concerns about the dangers of 'a governance gap, whereby zombie EU legislation would be transposed into UK law but remain divorced from EU institutions that monitor, update, administer and ensure compliance.
    • MPs are particularly concerned about the danger that existing standards, including the target of water bodies reaching a good status by 2027, are weakened.

    Opportunity for a joined-up approach

    • MPs find that leaving the EU offers a potential opportunity for a joined-up approach, which aligns water, air and soil quality regulations and regulators.
    • The Committee calls for this to be reflected in the Environment Bill due to be published before the end this year.

    Chair's comments

    • Only by supporting farmers to invest in infrastructure and processes to reduce artificial fertiliser application will we see better, more sustainable, environmental outcomes.
    • Historic over use of artificial fertiliser has led to nitrate pollution in many of our groundwater sources, with some citing the threat of the so-called nitrate time bomb.

    Key conclusions and recommendations

    H2Know Environmental Science Curriculum Now Available

    Retrieved on: 
    Monday, October 1, 2018
    Nature, Water pollution, Environmental science, Natural environment, Land management, Soil, Curriculum, Water quality, Universe, Nutrient pollution, Agricultural soil science

    The H2Know digital case study, available at H2KnowLearning.org , is an investigation of water quality challenges in Lake Erie published by the Nutrients for Life Foundation (NFLF).

    Key Points: 
    • The H2Know digital case study, available at H2KnowLearning.org , is an investigation of water quality challenges in Lake Erie published by the Nutrients for Life Foundation (NFLF).
    • NFLF is an education nonprofit that provides free, high-quality resources for educators about soil science and plant nutrients.
    • The Foundation worked with numerous experts in environmental science, water treatment, soil science, agricultural engineering and secondary education to develop the curriculum.
    • The curriculum is written in alignment with Ohio's Revised Science Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.