AGRI 1500 Lab Debates

Date of Your Debate: 26/11/15

Name: Bithiah Selvarajan Your Position: In favour
Lab Section: B04 Your Topic: Farmers should stop
Student Number: 7726333 fertilizing crops to reduce
eutrophication in Lake Winnipeg

Instructions:
 You will be assigned one debate topic from the list below by your TA in Lab. You will
also be assigned a position for the debate, either in favor of the motion or in opposition
to it. You cannot switch to the other side of the issue or debate topic once it is assigned.
 Complete this assignment before Lab. Print two copies and bring them with you to Lab
the week of your debate. You will hand in one copy at the start of lab and keep one copy
to use during the debate.
 Although you will be debating in teams, this assignment must be your own original
work.
 You must reference your sources in this assignment. Paraphrase your sources or use
direct quotes if necessary. It is necessary to quote the original source when referencing
statistics.
 References should be listed in the Council of Science Editors (CSE) Name-Year format.
 You can fill in this template to complete your assignment. It should be 3-5 pages in
length.

Debate Topics:
1. Canadian society is increasingly specialized. Only a very small percent of the population
is involved in food production. Everyone should be able to produce their own food.
(Week of November 16)
2. Farmers should stop fertilizing crops to reduce eutrophication in Lake Winnipeg.
(Week of November 23)

List Five Arguments Supporting Your Side of the Issue.

1 Argument 1:
The increase of algal blooms, have increasing harmful effects on the aquatic
Ecosystem as well as human use of the Lake Winnipeg. Huge surface blooms of
Algae have increased both in frequency and severity in the north and south
basins since the mid-1990s. Prevailing wind caused mats and scum of algae
bloom material to deposit and fouled beaches and recreational areas in the south basin of the
lake.
List References for Argument 1:

State of Lake Winnipeg: 1999 to 2007[Internet]. 2011. Winnipeg(MB): Environment Canada

Manitoba Water Stewardship; [cited 2015 Nov 22] . Available from:
 http://www.manitoba.ca/waterstewardship/water_quality/state_lk_winnipeg_report/pd
f/state_of_lake_winnipeg_rpt_technical_low_resolution.pdf

2 Argument 2:
Blue-green algae known as cyanobacteria, share some pigment and
other characteristics with other groups of algae. Cyanobacteria can greatly impair water
quality in lakes and rivers around the world. An example of impairments to water quality and
aquatic ecosystem: there will be a large pile of algae that
is similar to paint-like slicks particularly along shorelines, which makes water unappealing for
recreation. This algae can kill fishes when the algae bloom dies, also reduces the dissolved
oxygen level In water. Furthermore, it can greatly increase the cost of drinking water
treatment.

List References for Argument 2:

State of Lake Winnipeg: 1999 to 2007[Internet]. 2011. Winnipeg(MB): Environment Canada

Manitoba Water Stewardship; [cited 2015 Nov 22] . Available from:
http://www.manitoba.ca/waterstewardship/water_quality/state_lk_winnipeg_report/pd
f/state_of_lake_winnipeg_rpt_technical_low_resolution.pdf

3 Argument 3:
Adverse health effects from exposure to cyanobacteria and their toxins in
recreational water causes skin irritations, dermatitis, rashes, and eye and ear irritations, while
accidental swallowing and inhalation can lead to asthma, hay fever symptoms, diarrhea,
vomiting, abdominal pain and, in extreme cases, liver damage just by exposure which is direct
contact, accidental swallowing, and inhalation.
Even at very low concentrations, people with sensitive skin may show allergic reactions.
Higher densities of cyanobacteria and a greater length of exposure will often result in an
increase in the severity of symptoms. Toxicity related to direct contact during recreation is
primarily a concern during the development of a bloom, and immediately after a bloom has
developed.

High levels of microcystin-LR have been detected along Lake Winnipeg shorelines since the
mid-1990s. For example, on September 9, 1996, microcystin-LR concentrations of 300μg/L
were found along Victoria Beach.
Evidence suggests that potential adverse effects from ingestion are more severe than dermal
contact. Inhalation may also be a significant route of exposure in areas where blooms are
dense. This uptake route may be relevant for individuals participating in waterskiing, jet-
skiing, wake boarding, and other water sports where an aerosol of the bloom is created.

List References for Argument 3:

State of Lake Winnipeg: 1999 to 2007[Internet]. 2011. Winnipeg(MB): Environment Canada

Manitoba Water Stewardship; [cited 2015 Nov 22] . Available from:
http://www.manitoba.ca/waterstewardship/water_quality/state_lk_winnipeg_report/pd
 f/state_of_lake_winnipeg_rpt_technical_low_resolution.pdf

4 Argument 4:
Colorectal and liver cancers incidence has increased due to the long-term exposure to
cyanobacterial liver toxins that are consumed by incomplete water treatment. There are
several communities on the east shores of Lake Winnipeg that draw water from the lake and
provide treatment for community use. Other individuals living along the lakeshore might also
use lake water for drinking water, irrigation, or for livestock use.

List References for Argument 4:

State of Lake Winnipeg: 1999 to 2007[Internet]. 2011. Winnipeg(MB): Environment Canada

Manitoba Water Stewardship; [cited 2015 Nov 22] . Available from:
http://www.manitoba.ca/waterstewardship/water_quality/state_lk_winnipeg_report/pd
f/state_of_lake_winnipeg_rpt_technical_low_resolution.pdf

5 Argument 5:
Cyanobacteria produce three classes of toxins: neurotoxin that is associated with nerve toxins,
hepatotoxins (liver toxins) and dermatotoxins (contact irritants) (State of Lake…2011).
Furthermore, cyanobacteria also produce mycotoxins that are harmful to the human
population and the aquatic ecosystem. Fishes will die when it comes into direct contact with
mycotoxin (State of Lake…2011)..

The reduction of local fishes is caused by death of fishes that Manitoba will have to purchase
fishes from other provinces that will impact the economy of Manitoba. Furthermore,
commercial fishers have reported increased densities of algae attached to their fishing nets in
the winter and spring fishery. In turn, these algae can either clog nets or reduce fish catches.
Furthermore, commercial fishers have reported increased densities of algae attached to their
fishing nets in the winter and spring fishery. In turn, these algae can either clog nets or reduce
fish catches.

The forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas sector in Manitoba generates 2 billion of
GDP in all areas (Bollman and Ashton 2014). If fishing is affected due to the eutrophication
of Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba’s GDP will decrease overtime (Bollman and Ashton 2014).

List References for Argument 5:

State of Lake Winnipeg: 1999 to 2007[Internet]. 2011. Winnipeg(MB): Environment Canada
Manitoba Water Stewardship; [cited 2015 Nov 22] . Available from:
http://www.manitoba.ca/waterstewardship/water_quality/state_lk_winnipeg_report/pd
f/state_of_lake_winnipeg_rpt_technical_low_resolution.pdf

Bollman R, Ashton W. 2014 Jul. GDP by Sector in Non-Metro [Internet]. 2014.

Brandon(MB): Brandon University - Rural Development Institute; [cited 2015 Nov
23] . Available from: https://www.brandonu.ca/rdi/files/2014/09/GDP-by-Sector-in-
Non-Metro1.pdf
Other References Consulted During Your Research

Schindler D.W., Hecky R.E., McCullough G.K. 2012. The rapid eutrophication of Lake
Winnipeg: Greening under global change. Journal of Great Lakes Research 38(2012)6-
13.

Three arguments you expect from the opposing debate team

1 There are more demands for food more than anything and crops are subsidised for the
farmers due to the economy of raw materials. Now China is focusing more on
industrialising and same with India, which in turn takes land to build factories that was
previously owned by farmers to farm crops. So now the world doesn’t have enough
food so Canada’s economy also largely depends on the exports of raw materials like
crops, which can be sold at a decent amount of price without making the farmer
bankrupt.

2
The reduction in the use of synthetic fertilizers will increase the cost of producing food
by using the ‘organic’ method. This in turn will cause a rise in the cost of foods sold in
retail markets. Middle income and low income households will not be able to afford
produces.

3 Algal bloom can be mitigated by the use of barley straw, hence decreasing the harmful
effects of algae in lake Winnipeg.