NM1281 (Reviewed August 2022)

Eutrophication (algal blooms) in Big Mallard Marsh. A fish kill in North Dakota.
(Photo courtesy of North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality) (Photo courtesy of North Dakota Game and Fish Department)

Environmental Implications of Excess

Fertilizer and Manure on Water Quality
Mary Keena, Extension Livestock Environmental Management Specialist, Carrington Research Extension Center
Miranda Meehan, Extension Livestock Environmental Stewardship Specialist
Tom Scherer, Extension Agricultural Engineer

W hen nutrients and other pollutants associated with animal

manures and commercial fertilizers are not managed
properly, they can affect plant and animal life (including
Weed Growth and Algae Blooms
The number of plants and algae in a lake, pond or other
water body increase with an increased supply of nutrients,
humans) negatively. Some of these impacts include algae particularly N and P. N and P are present in manure in
blooms causing the depletion of oxygen in surface waters, sufficient quantity to be used as fertilizer for crop growth and
pathogens and nitrates in drinking water, and the emission of will have a similar effect on algae and aquatic plants. As with
odors and gases into the air. crops, nutrient availability is the critical factor in the growth of
Nutrients from manure and fertilizers enter lakes and streams aquatic plants and algae.
through runoff and soil erosion. Generally, when soil-test The nutrient present in the least amount for growth will limit
nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) increase, greater amounts the production in the aquatic system. Introduction of even
of plant-available N and P move with water. Runoff water from small amounts of the limiting nutrient to crops or aquatic
fields with high soil-test N and P may contain a high level of systems can increase production substantially. In the case of
these dissolved nutrients, increasing the risk of contaminating agricultural crops, this is a good thing.
streams, wetlands and lakes.
However, increased production of aquatic plants and algae
In addition, erosion carries fine particles of soil that are is not healthy for water resources. Eutrophication is the term
enriched with nutrients. Eroded soil particles with attached used to describe the natural or human-accelerated process
nutrients will accumulate as sediment in water resources and whereby a water body becomes abundant in aquatic plants
serve as a source of available nutrients during long periods of and low in oxygen content.
time.
As these aquatic plants die, microorganisms use the organic
matter as a food source. Once again, the microorganisms
Oxygen Depletion grow and reproduce and use up the oxygen in the water. Any
When manure or commercial fertilizers enter surface water, increase in the amount of aquatic plant growth ultimately will
the nutrients they release stimulate microorganism growth. result in a reduced dissolved oxygen content of the water body,
The growth and reproduction of microorganisms reduce the eventually suffocating fish and other aquatic species.
dissolved oxygen content of the water body.
Without sufficient dissolved oxygen in surface water, fish and
other aquatic species suffocate. The resulting dead fish and
other aquatic species degrade the water quality and cause
unpleasant odors.
North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota
In addition to oxygen depletion, the potential exists for the Nitrates
algae to be toxic. Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) can cause High levels of nitrates can be toxic to livestock and humans.
rashes, nausea and respiratory problems in humans and Nitrates are not adsorbed to soil materials, so they may
has been documented that it kills livestock that drink from leach to groundwater. In some instances, stored or land-
affected water storages. See the NDSU Extension publication applied manures or nitrogen fertilizers have caused high
“Cyanobacteria Poisoning (Blue-green Algae)” at http://tinyurl. concentrations of nitrates in water. Because nitrates freely
com/NDSU-blue-green-algae for more information. leach down through the soil profile, nitrogen that is not used
for crop or plant growth can reach the groundwater easily.
Ammonia Toxicity Nitrate in itself is not toxic to animals, but at elevated levels,
Ammonia-contaminated runoff from fresh manure application it causes a disease called nitrate poisoning. See the NDSU
sites is toxic to aquatic life. At high levels, ammonia in surface Extension publication “Nitrate Poisoning of Livestock”
water will kill fish. Fish are relatively sensitive to ammonia in (http://tinyurl.com/NitratePoisoning) for more information.
water. Concentrations as low as 0.02 parts per million (ppm)
High levels of nitrates in drinking water are known to cause
may be lethal. Surface water that manure impairs also may
methemoglobinemia (blue-baby syndrome) in human infants
experience changes in species diversity because of ammonia
and other warm-blooded animals. In humans and livestock,
toxicity.
nitrates interfere with oxygen uptake in the circulatory system.
Fecal Organisms Odors and Gases
The fresh manure from warm-blooded animals has countless
Manure odors can be a nuisance for nearby neighbors and
microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, parasites and
communities. Constant nuisance odors can degrade the
fungi. Some of the organisms are pathogenic (disease
quality of life for anyone subjected to them. In addition, people
causing), and some of the diseases that animals carry are
have a wide range of susceptibility to health effects from odors.
transmittable to humans, and vice versa.
Gases are emitted from facilities throughout the year but are
Many states use fecal coliform bacteria as an indicator of
released at the highest rates during agitation, pumping and
pollution from warm-blooded animals, including humans. The
application of liquid manure systems or during cleanout and
test for fecal coliforms is relatively simple and inexpensive,
application of solid manure systems. Volatilization of ammonia
compared with testing for specific pathogens.
to the atmosphere may become a water quality problem near
Some fecal coliforms can be found in natural water sources, animal production facilities when it is returned to the earth
even without the influence of humans or their domestic dissolved in rainfall.
animals. Birds, beaver, deer and other wild animals contribute
fecal coliforms to surface water directly or in runoff.
Contamination from runoff and natural deposition are not the
only ways for water to become impaired. If manure applications Summary
are mismanaged near wells, the risk of bacterial contamination If managed properly, fertilizers and animal
of the groundwater via the well is greatly increased. Therefore, manures benefit crop production without causing
avoid surface application of manure where it can come into environmental problems. In any management
direct contact with a well or other drinking water supply. In scenario, the manager must be aware of the possible
addition, when grazing near surface water sources, take negative consequences of mismanagement.
measures to restrict livestock use.

For additional information on water quality, see these other

NDSU Extension Service publications:
■ “Phosphorus Behavior in the Environment”
■ “Nitrogen Behavior in the Environment”

This publication was authored by Ron Wiederholt, former NDSU Extension southeast district director,
and Bridget Johnson, former NDSU Extension area nutrient management specialist.

For more information on this and other topics, see www.ndsu.edu/extension

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