{"id":11476,"date":"2023-10-11T23:44:08","date_gmt":"2023-10-11T22:44:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.agriculturelore.com\/?p=11476"},"modified":"2023-10-11T23:44:08","modified_gmt":"2023-10-11T22:44:08","slug":"what-percentage-of-pollution-is-caused-by-agriculture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.agriculturelore.com\/what-percentage-of-pollution-is-caused-by-agriculture\/","title":{"rendered":"What Percentage Of Pollution Is Caused By Agriculture"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Agricultural pollution is a major contributing factor to the global pollution crisis. Generally speaking, estimates of agricultural pollution may vary from region to region, but globally, it estimated that 25 to 35 percent of total pollution is attributed to agricultural practices. This includes air, soil, and water pollution caused by fertilizer and pesticide use, as well as runoff from animal feeding areas, which can lead to eutrophication in nearby bodies of water. Additionally, some of the more harmful, overlooked sources of agricultural pollution include burning of agricultural products, abandoned equipment, and fuel spills.<\/p>\n

Fertilizers, pesticides, and other agrochemicals are some of the primary sources of agricultural pollution. When used correctly, these chemicals can help to increase crop yields substantially. Unfortunately, when improperly applied or used in excess, these agrochemicals can leach into surface and subsurface waters, leading to significant water pollution. Soil pollution resulting from the use of agrochemicals is also an issue.<\/p>\n

The use of crop-protection chemicals can lead to air pollution, particularly in the form of air contamination. Pesticides, herbicides, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can escape into the atmosphere, leading to smog and other forms of air pollution. Additionally, the burning of agricultural waste, as well as the burning of fossil fuels to power agricultural equipment also contributes to agricultural air pollution.<\/p>\n

Animal manure is also an important contributing factor to agricultural pollution. Runoff from poorly managed animal feeding areas can lead to excessive nutrient loading in bodies of water, such as streams, rivers, and lakes. This can cause eutrophication, which can lead to algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and even fish and wildlife death. Additionally, improperly managed animal waste can also lead to the spread of diseases.<\/p>\n