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Inspecting dirty water containment ponds like this one daily is
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Cyanobacteria Poisoning (Blue-green Algae)

Drinking water from stagnant ponds and dugouts during hot, dry weather can cause sudden death in animals. This water can contain certain species of cyanobacteria (glue-green algae) are toxic. Cyanobacteria produce neuro and liver toxins that are poisonous to nearly all livestock, wildlife and humans.

Livestock Water Requirements

Water is an important, but often overlooked, nutrient. Livestock water requirements are affected by many factors including, size, productivity, diet and environmental conditions. Limited access or reduced water consumption can result in dehydration, which can be fatal to livestock.

Environmental Implications of Excess Fertilizer and Manure on Water Quality

When nutrients and other pollutants associated with animal manures and commercial fertilizers are not managed properly, they can affect plant and animal life (including humans) negatively. Some of these impacts include algae blooms causing the depletion of oxygen in surface waters, pathogens and nitrates in drinking water, and the emission of odors and gases into the air.

Nitrogen Behavior in the Environment

Manure and commercial fertilizers contain nutrients essential for plant growth. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the most critical of these nutrients. This publication outlines some basic information about nitrogen and its interaction in the environment.

Water Quality and Nitrogen

Monitoring studies conducted at national and state levels show that nitrogen (N) concentrations in groundwater exceed health standards more often than other common contaminants.

Working to Avoid Nitrogen Contamination

Activities of human beings have changed the balance of nitrogen (N) on the planet. Burning fossil fuels for energy, intensive use of land to grow food, and disposal of organic wastes have an effect on the N cycle. Studying the influence of our activities on the N cycle helps us understand the consequences of changing the balance of N in the environment.

How to Assess for Nitrogen Problems in Water Resources

Over the years, scientists have come to realize that accurately predicting nitrogen (N) problems in water resources depends on knowledge of the interaction among many factors. It is a complicated process that we have not yet mastered, but we do know that some factors consistently exert significant control over the processes that affect N mobility, availability, and accessibility. Determining the value of these factors and combining those values into a single value assigned to a specific geographic area is the basis for assessment.

Phosphorus Behavior in the Environment

Phosphorus (P) is a naturally occurring element that exists in minerals, soil, living organisms and water. Plant growth and development require phosphorus, like nitrogen, in large amounts. Phosphorus is essential for early root development and hastens plant maturity.