Experts detail environmental impact of fertilizer spill in southwest Iowa

RED OAK, Iowa. (WOWT) – Water is one of the necessities of life.

“Everybody wants good water quality. We all have to drink water. We all recreate in water,” said John Lorenzen, a biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Lorenzen and his fellow DNR experts are still examining the environmental impacts of a massive 1,500-ton liquid nitrogen fertilizer spill near Red Oak, Iowa caused by a New Cooperative valve that was left open last Monday.

They know liquid nitrogen fertilizer traveled along the East Nishnabotna River in Iowa for 50 miles down to the state of Missouri where it’s estimated to have traveled at least another 10 miles.

“(It’s) probably the longest fishkill that we’ve experienced in this area,” said Brent Marten, an environmental specialist for the Iowa DNR.

As the fertilizer plume swept through the water, the home of aquatic wildlife soon became their grave. Native species of varying sizes were found dead ashore and floating in the water.

“Just acute toxicity basically burned tissue on the outside and if they ingested it, on the inside of the fish,” said Lorenzen.

Water testing showed that where the spill happened, nitrogen levels were at least 60 times higher than they should’ve been.

After surveying from Red Oak to Hamburg on the Iowa-Missouri border, surveyors told 6 News they didn’t see any live fish with one exception: “We saw a handful of grass carp at the Hamburg bridge that were in the process of dying,” said Lorenzen. “Fortunately, this did not happen a month or so from now.”

That’s because larger species, like catfish, are still in the Missouri River for the cold season. If it were warmer, they too could’ve been killed. Lorenzen is hopeful that the native species will rebound. Those that found refuge in tributaries should spawn and restock the river. It’s still unknown how long that will take.

“On a short time frame, a year,” said Lorenzen. “On a longer time frame, it may take a bit longer. It’s really hard to say.”

Lorenzen explained this may have an impact on the larger fish in the upcoming season. With many of the smaller, native fish of the East Nishnabotna River dead, the food chain may be impacted.

Now, Martens is doing follow-up testing for the water. In Red Oak, the nitrogen levels are back to what they would’ve been before the spill. He said it’s likely once the plume hits the Missouri River it would dilute and dissolve.

The field specialists’ reports will go to the legal division of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. From there they’ll determine the next steps and possible fines.

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