Another possible answer is that the farmer in Nebraska is as much responsible for Global warming as a coal fired power plant or a oil refinery. Problems created by construction of dams across rivers and use of fertilizers contributes to global warming. Dams reduce flow of silt into the oceans and irrigation and more farming increase the flow of Nitrogen and Phosphorus. The combined effect of this is the increase in harmful algal blooms in rivers, lakes and coastal waters.
Phytoplankton are supposed to be major contributors of Oxygen and hence absorbers of CO2, but the increasing number of Fish Kills in fresh waters and Dead Zones in estuaries and oceans is an indicator that blooms of phytoplankton is actually reducing oxygen and increasing CO2 and perhaps increasing methane emissions as well. Why are the number of Dead Zones increasing and what is the impact of these on Global Warming. http://www.earth-stream.com/outpage.php?s=18&id=188819 The "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico is one example. Nitrogen- based fertilizers make their way from Iowa [Nebraska?] cornfields to the Mississippi River, where they are transported to the Gulf of Mexico. Once deposited in the Gulf, nitrogen stimulates algal blooms. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "geoengineering" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/geoengineering?hl=.
