Tampa-Although Tampa Bay’s water has improved significantly during the past several years, government and industry – including phosphate producers – agreed recently to hold nitrogen discharges into the bay at current levels until 2012. Increased nitrogen increases algae blooms and reduces fish populations and sea grasses, and the bay’s water has become clearer and cleaner in recent years due to decreases in pollution flowing into it from wastewater treatment plants, phosphate production facilities, and other industries. Mosaic was part of the team that developed the plan, which took two years to work out. Any new increases will have to be offset by new pollution reduction plans and equipment. All of the parties agreed not to increase pollution discharge levels. Once all involved have signed off on the plan, state and federal regulations are expected in the near future. The plan was seen as a move to meet those new requirements.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain