Elements Involved

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There are many elements of the periodic table involved in pesticides used in farming and agriculture leaching into the ground and ending up in our lakes, rivers, and oceans. Pesticides are made up of a combination of chemicals, including some elements from the periodic table. Having knowledge and understanding of these elements is important because it will be easier to understand the effects that pesticide leaching and ending up in our waters has on the environment, if we know what the effects the elements can cause.

Nitrogen

One of the elements that is involved in pesticides leaching into the ground and ending up in our waters is nitrogen. Nitrogen is in many pesticides such as herbicides and insecticides. Nitrogen can cause harm to aquatic life when it enters our lakes, rivers and oceans because it encourages plant growth, which reduces the amounts of light and oxygen in the water. This can harm other plants and fish.

Phosphorus

Another element involved in this issue is phosphorus. Phosphorus based pesticides are often used to control insects and diseases in crops. Phosphorus similarly affects aquatic environments by increasing algae growth and decreasing the levels of dissolved oxygen. Nitrogen and phosphorus in aquatic environments can both cause algal blooms.  

Sulphur

Sulphur is also involved with pesticides leaching into the ground and ending up in our waters. Sulphur is used in pesticides such as insecticides, fungicides and rodenticides. Too much sulphur in the water can acidify our waterways which will harm aquatic plants and animal life.  

Sources

The impacts of Nitrogen Pollution. Soil Association. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2023, from https://www.soilassociation.org/causes-campaigns/fixing-nitrogen-the-challenge-for-climate-nature-and-health/the-impacts-of-nitrogen-pollution/#:~:text=The%20build%2Dup%20of%20nitrogen,main%20threats%20to%20global%20biodiversity.&text=Excess%20nitrogen%20can%20damage%20delicate,or%20high%20levels%20of%20nitrogen. 

Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Phosphorus. EPA. Retrieved April 27, 2023, from https://www.epa.gov/national-aquatic-resource-surveys/indicators-phosphorus#:~:text=Too%20much%20phosphorus%20can%20cause,to%20human%20and%20animal%20health. 

Encyclopedia.com. (2023, April 28). Pesticides. Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved April 27, 2023, from https://www.encyclopedia.com/science-and-technology/biology-and-genetics/environmental-studies/pesticides#:~:text=Chlorine%2C%20oxygen%2C%20sulfur%2C%20phosphorus,on%20the%20type%20of%20pesticide.