What are the by-products of fertilizer industries? How do they affect the environment?
The main byproducts of fertilizer industries are as follows:
Ammonia and ammonium salt, Suspended solids and ash, Acids and alkalis, Oil, Arsenic, MEA and methanol, Nitrates, Urea, Cooling water conditioning chemicals like chromate, Phosphates, biocides, etc, Cyanides and sulphides, Fluorides, Phosphates, etc.
Effect on environment:
• Suspended solids and ash add up to SPM in air. Thus, they increase air pollution.
• Arsenic and cyanide are lethal substances. They may enter the food chain and cause diseases because of biomagnifications.
• Fluoride in drinking water is highly harmful for teeth.
• Most of the byproducts may reach water bodies and can alter the pH of water. This can be harmful for the aquatic ecosystem.
