The Mississippi River is the major drainage system for the agricultural pollution of the United States Corn Belt. This area once was productive, but now has more algae and less shrimp. Another area in the United States that is paying the price for breaking the organic loop is Minnesota. Their plant diversity has been greatly reduced due to the nitrogen that was applied to the grasslands. The area is now biologically weak.
Drinking water can begin causing cancer, brain damage, and even death in infants.
Infants are so profoundly affected because nitrates affect the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Even though many nations are experiencing a surplus of nutrients, many countries have a shortage of vital nutrients. Many African farmers are experiencing this trend. Because most of them are unable to afford fertilizer, they instead begin to mine their soils of nutrients. The nutrients that are present in their soils are beginning to leave the soil at a rate that is four times faster than they can be replaced.