Research Identifies Urea Fertilizer as Major Contributor to Water Quality Loss in Canadian Prairies
A study published in Nature Water has revealed that the widespread use of urea fertilizer is significantly degrading water quality in the Canadian Prairies. Researchers from the University of Manitoba and the University of Regina conducted experiments by adding urea to farm ponds, simulating agricultural fertilization effects. The results showed a dramatic increase in algae growth, leading to oxygen depletion in the water. This phenomenon was observed in nearly half of the Prairie lakes, wetlands, and reservoirs, indicating a severe impact from decades of urea use. The study also highlighted similar vulnerabilities in agricultural regions in China and the United States. Dr. Cale Gushulak, the lead author, emphasized the global nature of the problem, noting that urea accounts for over half of global fertilizer use. The research suggests that the issue is exacerbated by the mismanagement of wetlands, which are crucial for filtering agricultural runoff. 
