What impact do Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) have on water quality and the environment?
First of all a CAFO is an animal feeding facility that confines large quantities of animals in a limited amount of space. During the growing season this area does not produce vegetation. The concentration of waste combined with improperly managing the disposal of this waste can cause harm to the environment and public health. Pollutants such as nitrogen, ammonia, and pathogens run off into waterways. Environmental impact from this neglect can result in degradation of water resources and illness to the people exposed to such pathogens in their drinking water. Also odors from the CAFOs can contribute to respiratory problems.
This paper will summarize how the negative effects of improperly managed CAFOs can harm our environment and residents surrounding the facilities. I will also explain how simply following guidelines and regulations can improve water quality around the neighboring areas of these facilities.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Friday April 15 2011. How do CAFOs Impact the Environment? Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/region7/water/cafo/cafo_impact_environment.htm.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Monday July 18 2011. Effluent Guidelines: Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Industry. Retrieved from http://water.epa.gov/scitech/wastetech/guide/cafo/index.cfm.
I think you have a really good topic here. I can tell you have done some preliminary research, and have thought about the direction you want your MOR to go.
ReplyDeleteBut, I would like you to think of the arguments that are going for or against CAFOs. In other words, think of the pros and cons.
Good Job with this. Keep up the good work.