New research could reduce the amount of fertilizer pollution coming from farms. After manure is spread onto farm fields, nutrients like phosphorus can run off into nearby lakes and streams. Too much phosphorus in the water leads to excessive plant growth, which can eventually choke out fish and other aquatic species. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Erin Toner reports:
Transcript
New research could reduce the amount of fertilizer pollution coming from farms. After manure is spread onto farm fields, nutrients like phosphorus can run off into nearby lakes and streams. Too much phosphorus in the water leads to excessive plant growth, which can eventually choke out fish and other aquatic species. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Erin Toner reports:
A researcher at Michigan State University found that treating liquid dairy manure with certain chemical compounds reduced the phosphorus load in the manure by 80 percent. The phosphorus binds to the compounds and then settles out in a solid form. Researcher Dana Kirk says the process is common at wastewater treatment plants. He says it could be expensive technology for farmers.
“The upfront costs are generally very high. If we can find ways to sell this product or put an better economic value on manure, it potentially could, you know, at least be a
break-even venture.”
Kirk says he’s working with a company to test the manure-treatment system at two farms in Michigan. He says using this treatment process to remove phosphorus from manure would have to be tailored to each individual farm.
For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Erin Toner.