AGRICULTURAL POLLUTION. MEANING OF AGRICULTURAL POLLUTION. Agricultural pollution is defined as the release of toxic or harmful substances (like the application of herbicides) into the environment by natural forces or man and other animals to an extent that causes biological damage to man and his resources. In other words, agricultural pollution is the release of harmful substances into the environment i.e water=water-borne disease, air and land in quantities or to the level that are harmful to man, animals and plants classification
The harmful substances that cause pollution in the environment are called pollutants.
SOURCES OR CAUSES OF POLLUTION
The main sources or causes of pollution of agricultural land or ponds can be classified as
(a) Air pollution
(b) Noise pollution
(c) Land pollution and
(d) Water pollution
The major air pollutant, their sources, harmful effects and their control
are outlined below
(a) Pollutants
(i) Ammonia gas
Sources: Decomposition from animal’s droppings from poultry, pigs, goats, sheep and cattle. Farm animal droppings or dungs normally generate large volumes of bad odour into the environments.
Effects: It causes impaired health such as irritation of eyes, lungs, cough and other respiratory tract diseases to man and animals.
Control:
(i) Efforts should be made to evacuate animal dungs from farm environment to far places.
(ii) Odour killants (i.e chemicals) can be introduced into farm animal feeds to drastically reduce odour of dungs from farm animals.
(iii) Livestock animals farms should be located far from residential areas.
(b) Dust participles
Source: Dust participles and normally generated from feed mills.
Effects:
(i) Dust participles can cause damage to lungs and causes discomfort
(ii) It irritates respiratory system and cause respiratory diseases such as catarrh and cough to feed mill workers.
Control: Feed mill workers have to protect themselves by wearing protective covering over their nose when milling feeds and concentrate.
NOISE POLLUTION
The major noise pollution, their sources, harmful effects and their control are discussed below:
(a) POLLUTANT NOISE
Sources: The main source of noise pollution in a farm environment are mainly from
(a) Feed mill. Noise is generated when feed mill is milling feed for farm animals.
(b) Noise pollution from poultry (Birds).
Effects of noise pollution
(i) It causes loss of hearing or deafness especially from feedmills.
(ii) It can also cause emotional disorder, anxiety or lack of concentration.
(iii) Noise can also cause high blood pressure or hypertension.
(iv) It can cause changes in behaviours.
Control of Noise Pollution
(i) Poultry farms should be located far away from residential quarters.
(ii) There should be installation of sound proof in feed mill buildings.
AGRICULTURAL LAND POLLUTION
The major land pollutants, their sources, harmful effects and their control are listed below
Land pollutants Sources Effects
(i) Refuse Farm office and farm sites (i) it causes offensive odour when refuse decay
(ii) it can cause respiratory disorder
(ii) sewage Farm offices (i) it results in offensive odour
(ii) it serves as breeding causing organisms
(iii) pesticides and fertilizers Pesticides sprayed on crops and fertilizers used in soil. (i) They destroy useful soil organisms.
(ii) excessive fertilizers can cause soil acidity.
(iii) it can cause the death of some crops.
Control of land pollution agriculture
(i) Refuse should be burnt in incinerators
(ii) Sewage should be properly treated before disposal
(iii) Legislation should be made by government read more here against dumping of harmful or toxic wastes.
(iv) Pesticides and fertilizers should be applied as instructed.
AGRICULTURAL WATER POLLUTION
The major water pollutants, their sources, harmful effects and their control are discussed below
Water pollutants Sources Effects
(i) pesticides and fertilizers Washed by erosion from farm to rivers, streams or ponds (i) it makes water unfit for human consumption
(ii) it leads to rapid vegetative growth of water plants which makes fishing and movement impossible.
(iii) it can destroy aquatic organisms e.g fish
(ii) feaces from farm animals Farm animals (i) it produces unpleasant odour
(ii) it serves as a medium for the breeding of pathogens.
(iii) crude oil (oil spoilage) Oil drilling loading and unloading of oil tankers (i) it destroys aquatic plants and animals
(ii) it makes water unfit for human and animal consumption
(iii) food chain is affected
(iv) it leads to migration of animals.
how to Control agricultural water pollution
(i) Pesticides and fertilizers should be properly used as instructed. read fertilizer application here
(ii) There should be efficient and proper disposal of animal dungs or waste.
(iii) There should be efficient techniques to deal with or prevent oil spillage.
(iv) Government or local authorities should strictly monitor all farm waste.
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
20. INCUBATORS
21. MILKING MACHINE
22. SIMPLE FARM TOOLS
he major land pollutants, their sources, harmful effects and their control are listed below
Land pollutants Sources Effects
(i) Refuse Farm office and farm sites (i) it causes offensive odour when refuse decay
(ii) it can cause respiratory disorder
(ii) sewage Farm offices (i) it results in offensive odour
(ii) it serves as breeding causing organisms
(iii) pesticides and fertilizers Pesticides sprayed on crops and fertilizers used in soil. (i) They destroy useful soil organisms.
(ii) excessive fertilizers can cause soil acidity.
(iii) it can cause the death of some crops.
