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Rising ethanol demand expanding ‘dead zone’ in Gulf of Mexico

Rising ethanol demand

increased corn cultivation polluting sea
Humanity is being forced to pay a heavy price for advancement of civilization and consequent economic development. To sustain the burgeoning global population and its rising demand for commodities the price paid is destruction of the ecosystem. Expansion of farming and increased use of nitrogenous fertilizers has spelt havoc to the surrounding environment by polluting nearby water system and reducing the fertility of the agricultural land. Recently, researchers in USA found that increased demand for ethanol is forcing US farmers to devout more agricultural land to corn cultivation. To increase production the farmers are increasing the use of nitrogenous fertilizers. The result is the expansion of the ‘dead zone’ along the Gulf of Mexico.

The 7,900-square miles of the dead zone is devoid of oxygen that has suffocated the fish, crab and shrimp population in the area. The fishermen consequently have to venture deeper into the sea for their catch.

The reason for the expansion of corn cultivation in the American states of Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and South Dakota is not increase in food demand but demand for ethanol. Ethanol is a biofuel used as an alternative source of energy. Rise in energy prices and the rising demand made by scientists and environmentalists to reduce use of fossil fuel have made ethanol a viable alternative energy source. Corn prices riding on the back of rising ethanol demand has also plummeted to an all time high of $4 per bushel.

Use of nitrogenous fertilizers is essential for increasing productivity of corn crops and at the same time, the fertilizers are polluting the water of rivers and sea destroying the ecosystem of the area. Sustainable development would require use of biofertilizers but the increase in production in corn crop desired to meet the rising commercial demand cannot be met with biofertilizers.

Not all types of alternative energy sources are environment friendly. Wind and solar energy are cleaner and useful for sustainable economic development than energy obtained from biofuels. Energy prices will keep rising in the near future but ethanol cannot be taken as a potentially viable alternative in the face of the destruction increased corn cultivation is causing to the ecosystem.

Source:msnbc
Image:the age

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