Fertilizer runoff

Fertilizer is like food for plants. Just like you need food to grow, plants need fertilizer to grow big and strong. Farmers or gardeners put fertilizer on plants to help them grow better.

But sometimes, when it rains, the extra fertilizer that wasn't soaked up by the plants doesn't stay where it is supposed to. Instead, it gets washed away with the rainwater and runs off into rivers, ponds, and lakes. This is called fertilizer runoff.

When too much fertilizer gets into the water, it causes a lot of problems. It can make the water very dirty and smelly, which is not good for the fish and animals that live in the water. Too much fertilizer in the water can also cause something called "algae blooms." Algae is a plant that grows really quickly and covers the top of the water. When there is too much fertilizer, the algae grows too much and takes up most of the water's oxygen. This is bad for the fish and other animals that live in there because they need oxygen to breathe.

So, it's important for farmers, gardeners, and all of us to use just the right amount of fertilizer and not let it run off into the water. That way, both the plants and animals can be happy and healthy!