Central Valley groundwater pollution
[1] nitrates are the most abundant pollutants in the Central Valley due to the copious amounts of agricultural runoff from the farms.
[3] Manganese has been detected at concerning levels, posing health risks especially to young children and pregnant women due to its neurotoxic effects.
[2] At the turn of the 20th century, California became as a leading agricultural producer due to its technological advances in land management, irrigation and machinery.
[10] Issues in groundwater contamination by nitrates come from 50 years of unregulated management of livestock waste disposal, septic systems and commercial fertilizers.
[15] Despite modern data and methods for agricultural safety, 92 water systems in the Central Valley were attached to wells containing illegal levels of nitrates between 2005 and 2008, impacting the 1,335,000 residents in the area.
Jerry Brown in 2014, this three-bill legislative package created a framework for preserving and managing groundwater at the local and state level.
Manure produces around 6.5 million tons of nitrogen, which, when not handled properly or with improper drainage methods, can contaminate soil and water sources.
[19] Manganese contamination can result from both natural geological processes and human activities such as industrial and agricultural runoff.
[20][21][22] Elevated manganese in soil and water often correlates with agricultural zones due to natural weathering of manganese-containing minerals and contamination from fertilizers.
Given manganese's potential risks, officials and health agencies are now advocating for enhanced filtration methods in affected communities.
[27] Factors such as limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables and insufficient vitamin C intake could further contribute to colorectal cancer risks.
Drinking water and consuming dietary sources of nitrates/nitrites are speculated to cause increased cancer risks when the nitrate compounds react with amines and amides to form carcinogens.
[4] Exposure to manganese-contaminated water during critical developmental periods can hinder cognitive development, with studies suggesting significant long-term impacts on memory, attention, and overall learning ability.
