A recent fertilizer leak in southwest Iowa led to the deaths of more than 750,000 fish in the Nishnabotna rivers, marking one of the largest such events in the state's history.
Jared Strong reports for Iowa Capital Dispatch.
In short:
- The leak originated from NEW Cooperative in Red Oak, releasing around 265,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer into the East Nishnabotna River.
- This event has been classified as Iowa's biggest fish kill in a decade, with additional wildlife casualties including frogs and snakes.
- Restitution for the ecological damage is pending, with estimates suggesting a valuation upwards of $200,000 for the loss of aquatic life.
Key quote:
After the fertilizer spill, "the whole river was full of dead fish. It was just nuts."
— Todd Meyer, local resident
Why this matters:
Fertilizer spills can introduce high levels of nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, into water bodies. While these nutrients are essential for plant growth, their excessive presence in water can lead to eutrophication. This process involves the rapid growth of algae on the surface of the water, known as algal blooms. These toxins can affect the nervous system of fish and can accumulate in their bodies, posing a risk to predators, including humans, that consume them.
