What can excessive nitrogen runoff from agricultural practices lead to?

Excessive nitrogen runoff from agricultural practices primarily leads to eutrophication of water bodies. This process occurs when excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, enter lakes, rivers, and coastal areas, often through runoff from fertilizers and manure.

Once these nutrients accumulate in the water, they stimulate dense algal blooms. While algae can initially seem beneficial, when they die and decompose, they deplete the oxygen available in the water, leading to hypoxic or anoxic conditions. This depletion adversely affects aquatic life, causing fish kills and a loss of biodiversity. The process can drastically alter the ecosystem, making water bodies uninhabitable for many organisms and affecting water quality.

Understanding the implications of nitrogen runoff highlights the importance of sustainable agricultural practices that minimize nutrient leaching into water systems, thereby protecting aquatic ecosystems and promoting overall environmental health.