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The Phosphorus Dilemma

Chelsey Iida and, Clint Shock (October, 2007)

Summary

Phosphorus is an essential building block for all forms of life, from plants to animals, including humans. Because phosphorus is closely tied to land productivity and plant growth, many homeowners apply phosphorus fertilizers liberally to lawns, while growers add them to cropland. However, in certain environments, too much phosphorus can be devastating to aquatic organisms.