Floridian Aquifer Essay

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The Rising Nitrate Levels in the Floridian Aquifer
The Floridian Aquifer is often referred to as the life blood of the state. With over 1,000 springs throughout Florida being fed freshwater from depths of up to 2,000 feet, no other aquifer in the United States can compare. Many of the aquifer fed springs, that once flowed millions of gallons of crystal clear 72-degree water, are now nothing more than algae filled mud holes. The aquifer is in peril, and one of the main contributors to the decline in health is the introduction of dangerous levels of nitrates. The health of the Floridian Aquifer, and in turn the people of Florida, is greatly affected by the release of nitrates in to the ground water through high usage rates of fertilizer, runoff from the waste of livestock, and excessive water usage in residential, agriculture, and tourism industries.
Harmful Effects The Floridian Aquifer has a benchmark level of naturally occurring nitrate of 0.05 mg; however, many of Florida’s springs have recorded a rate of 1.5 mg. The level considered enriched due to human development is .2mg, yet the state average is .48mg (Mattson,
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Chicken farming has been shown to have just as much of an impact on the aquifer nitrate level as any other form of livestock farming (Gerber, Opio, & Steinfeld, 2007, pp. 2). It’s not just the actual waste from the chickens that can cause the problems; decomposing of feathers, carcasses, and bedding, along with the waste, all factor in to the production of nitrates. Furthermore, the aftermath of the slaughter of these animals is a major contributor in the overall impact of the farming process. A study conducted by the Animal Production and Health Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, found that the consequences of chicken farming can lead to groundwater that is “unsuitable for human consumption” (Gerber, Opio, & Steinfeld, 2007, pp.

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