Fertilized soil may be major source of smog near Salton Sea
For decades, Southern California’s war on smog has focused on strategies to reduce pollution from tailpipes and smokestacks. But one of the main drivers of lung-aggravating smog may be right underneath our feet, according to new research. … From the polo grounds of Coachella Valley to the farm fields in Imperial County, vast stretches of the harsh Colorado Desert have been converted into verdant fields thanks to fertilizer and irrigation. Although the conditions are ideal for plants, the wet, heavily fertilized soil also creates a feeding frenzy for soil bacteria that release smog-forming pollution. UC Davis researchers say the soil in the Salton Sea air basin emits more than 11 tons per day of nitrogen oxides — about 10 times more smog-forming pollution than California air regulator officials currently estimate. The findings underscore the need to better understand how the management of agricultural land and manicured lawns are contributing to regional air quality, according to Ian Faloona, a UC Davis associate professor in the Department of Land, Air and Water.
Related article:
