Summary Rate of fertilizer applied per unit area (kg/ha). Fertilizer contains chemicals (e.g., forms of nitrate) that can harm aquatic ecosystems and degrade drinking water quality. General Information What is it? Application of fertilizers to agricultural fields can impair local and regional waterways, directly and indirectly affecting trophic state, native and non-native plant and animal species, drinking water quality, and bioaccumulation of mercury. (also in Goal 5)
