Explosion hits fertilizer plant north of Waco, Texas

[1Worldwatcher]

Anhydrous Ammonia

Toxicity
The toxicity of ammonia solutions does not usually cause problems for humans and other mammals, as a specific mechanism exists to prevent its build-up in the bloodstream. Ammonia is converted to carbamoyl phosphate by the enzyme carbamoyl phosphate synthetase, and then enters the urea cycle to be either incorporated into amino acids or excreted in the urine[citation needed]. However, fish and amphibians lack this mechanism, as they can usually eliminate ammonia from their bodies by direct excretion. Ammonia even at dilute concentrations is highly toxic to aquatic animals, and for this reason it is classified as dangerous for the environment.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonia#Toxicity

Nitrogen

Negative environmental effects

See also: Environmental impact of agriculture, Human impact on the nitrogen cycle, and Nitrogen fertilizer#Problems with inorganic fertilizer


Runoff of soil and fertilizer during a rain storm


An algal bloom caused by eutrophication
[edit]Water quality
[edit]Eutrophication
Main article: Eutrophication
The nitrogen-rich compounds found in fertilizer runoff are the primary cause of serious oxygen depletion in many parts of the ocean, especially in coastal zones. The resulting lack of dissolved oxygen is greatly reducing the ability of these areas to sustain oceanic fauna.[76] Visually, water may become cloudy and discolored (green, yellow, brown, or red).
About half of all the lakes in the United States are now eutrophic, while the number of oceanic dead zones near inhabited coastlines are increasing.[77] As of 2006, the application of nitrogen fertilizer is being increasingly controlled in Britain and the United States[citation needed]. If eutrophication can be reversed, it may take decades[citation needed] before the accumulated nitrates in groundwater can be broken down by natural processes.
[edit]Blue baby syndrome
High application rates of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers in order to maximize crop yields, combined with the high solubilities of these fertilizers leads to increased runoff into surface water as well as leaching into groundwater.[78][79][80] The use of ammonium nitrate in inorganic fertilizers is particularly damaging, as plants absorb ammonium ions preferentially over nitrate ions, while excess nitrate ions which are not absorbed dissolve (by rain or irrigation) into runoff or groundwater.[81]
Nitrate levels above 10 mg/L (10 ppm) in groundwater can cause 'blue baby syndrome' (acquired methemoglobinemia), leading to hypoxia (which can lead to coma and death if not treated).[82]
[edit]Soil
[edit]Soil acidification
See also: Soil pH
Nitrogen-containing inorganic and organic fertilizers can cause soil acidification when added.[83][84] This may lead to decreases in nutrient availability which may be offset by liming.
[edit]Persistent organic pollutants
Main article: Persistent organic pollutant
Toxic persistent organic pollutants ("POPs"), such as Dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) have been detected in agricultural fertilizers and soil amendments[85]
[edit]Heavy metal accumulation
The concentration of up to 100 mg/kg of cadmium in phosphate minerals (for example, minerals from Nauru[86] and the Christmas islands[87]) increases the contamination of soil with cadmium, for example in New Zealand.[88]
Steel industry wastes, recycled into fertilizers for their high levels of zinc (essential to plant growth), wastes can include the following toxic metals: lead[89] arsenic, cadmium,[89] chromium, and nickel. The most common toxic elements in this type of fertilizer are mercury, lead, and arsenic.[90][91] Concerns have been raised concerning fish meal mercury content by at least one source in Spain[92]
[edit]Radioactive element accumulation
Uranium is another example of a contaminant often found in phosphate fertilizers (at levels from 7 to 100 pCi/g).[93] Eventually these heavy metals can build up to unacceptable levels and build up in vegetable produce.[88] Average annual intake of uranium by adults is estimated to be about 0.5 mg (500 ?g) from ingestion of food and water and 0.6 ?g from breathing air.[94]
Also, highly radioactive Polonium-210 contained in phosphate fertilizers is absorbed by the roots of plants and stored in its tissues; tobacco derived from plants fertilized by rock phosphates contains Polonium-210 which emits alpha radiation estimated to cause about 11,700 lung cancer deaths each year worldwide.[95][96][97][98][99][100]
For these reasons, it is recommended that nutrient budgeting, through careful observation and monitoring of crops, take place to mitigate the effects of excess fertilizer application.
[edit]Atmosphere


Global methane concentrations (surface and atmospheric) for 2005; note distinct plumes
Methane emissions from crop fields (notably rice paddy fields) are increased by the application of ammonium-based fertilizers; these emissions contribute greatly to global climate change as methane is a potent greenhouse gas.[101]
Through the increasing use of nitrogen fertilizer, which is added at a rate of 1 billion tons per year presently[102] to the already existing amount of reactive nitrogen, nitrous oxide (N2O) has become the third most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and methane. It has a global warming potential 296 times larger than an equal mass of carbon dioxide and it also contributes to stratospheric ozone depletion.[103]
The use of fertilizers on a global scale emits significant quantities of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere (citation needed). Emissions come about through the use of:
animal manures and urea, which release methane, nitrous oxide, ammonia, and carbon dioxide in varying quantities depending on their form (solid or liquid) and management (collection, storage, spreading)
fertilizers that use nitric acid or ammonium bicarbonate, the production and application of which results in emissions of nitrogen oxides, nitrous oxide, ammonia and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
By changing processes and procedures, it is possible to mitigate some, but not all, of these effects on anthropogenic climate change.[citation needed]
[edit]Other problems
[edit]Increased pest fitness
Excessive nitrogen fertilizer applications can also lead to pest problems by increasing the birth rate, longevity and overall fitness of certain agricultural pests, such as aphids (plant lice).[104][105][106][107][108][109]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_fertilizer#Negative_environmental_effects

Those folks there in Waco and near Waco are in for a very rude and painful awakening scenarion for sure.

1WW

[burntheships]

Oh, 1WW, that is bad news, so sad, this is very painful
for them down there, unreal...

Here is a real live video just posted up to You Tube.

[1Worldwatcher]

Oh, 1WW, that is bad news, so sad, this is very painful
for them down there, unreal...

Here is a real live video just posted up to You Tube.

These poor folks had no idea what they were driving through. It is some really, really bad stuff!! It can kill you in a matter of minutes just breathing these types of fumes. Poor Waco Public, had too inquire, I know, but have made matters worse, depending on the wind conditions and the humidity ratios/percentages.

Five blocks radius is a big area BTS, I am guessing it was an Anhydrous tank, but, I can't be positive either way by just looking. Either one is bad stuff.

1WW

[robomont]

from the pics it looks like the cloud is moving east.
we have a cold front blowing in from the west that will bring rain to east texas tomorrow and major storms and probly tornadoes for arkansas and missouri tomorrow night.the whole state of texas was covered in some funky rippled clouds .

if it was ammonia that comes down it should make one really large green spot in the local flora.

hopefully the front will dissipate it.

[burntheships]

USGS data on the explosion here:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/usb000g9yl#summary

[1Worldwatcher]

Kind of interesting released part of the story as it unfolds:

He compared the damage to the April 19, 1995 explosion that ripped a side off the Albert P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

A team of federal investigators is en route to West.

So, we will have too wait and see again I guess, very unique timing for sure.

1WW

[robomont]

the scoop blog dallas tex said they had two 12?000gallon tanks at 85%full of anhydrous.

[1Worldwatcher]

the scoop blog dallas tex said they had two 12?000gallon tanks at 85%full of anhydrous.

Well, if those folks down there thought they were going through a drought before, they are really going to have something a head with direction of wind carrying these noxious and dangerous particles of Anhydrous. Animals will die and things aren't going to grow down wind from the explosion for sure.

Thanks for the heads up Robo. Even after this gets semi under control, long term effects will be even more devastating.

Now all we have to hope for is that it isn't a terrorist attack, foreign or domestic. 

1WW

[robomont]

i was thinkin the same thing about the wind.
winds are at 20miles ph.
at 5:00 the air will cool enough to condense.
this will be 180 miles north by northwest of the explosion.
this will be southern oklahoma.
a storm will be hitting that area at about that time causing more condensing.
just a thought.hopefully dissapates.

[1Worldwatcher]

i was thinkin the same thing about the wind.
winds are at 20miles ph.
at 5:00 the air will cool enough to condense.
this will be 180 miles north by northwest of the explosion.
this will be southern oklahoma.
a storm will be hitting that area at about that time causing more condensing.
just a thought.hopefully dissapates.

Though it would be in an aerosol state, the physical effects are horrendous to say the least:

Anhydrous Ammonia
Anhydrous ammonia can cause severe burns upon contact. Contact
with the liquid ammonia also can cause loss of sight, severe injury
of the respiratory membranes and varying degrees of irritation of
skin, eyes and mucous membranes. For these reasons, use adequate
body protection—a self-contained breathing apparatus with full
face shields (air paks) and full protective clothing. If working
around the shut-off valves, also wear rubber gloves and a rubber
apron to protect your body from contact with liquid.
If you are exposed to liquid anhydrous ammonia, wash the exposed
area with water for at least 15 minutes or until you receive medical
attention.

http://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/PDFS/Chap13/D13-13.pdf

Ecological Effects of Ammonia

Even at extremely low concentrations aquatic life will be harmed by ammonia.

Ammonia occurs naturally in the environment. A small amount of ammonia is generated when lightning strikes and reaches earth in rainfall. But most ammonia is produced by bacteria in water and soil as an end product of plant and animal waste decomposition. It is found in relatively low nontoxic concentrations in soil, air, and water and provides a source of nitrogen for plants.

https://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/chemicals/spills/ammoniaspills/ecoeffects.aspx

There is more to come over this event. I know it is not the only isolated event to have ever taken place with such agricultural fertilizers, but with proper precipitation and right wind currents, can cause some serious problems as an airborne aerosol.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the fertilizer plant explosion in West, TX registered as a 2.1 magnitude earthquake.

Waco Forecast- 4:30 AM
72* with Thunderstorms
50% Humidity
80% Chance of precipitation
23 mph wind Northerly direction, expected to change over the duration of the day to go E-SE from 10-25 mph expected.

This puts it in direct path of a few larger cities in Texas, though I can't be sure it would get as far North as D/FW area, it could hit Austin, San Antonio or even Corpus Christie with high expectancy for rain fall.

Not good at all Folks.

1WW

[zorgon]

This will give you a FEEL for that blast... This is the Pepcon explosion in Las vegas years ago. Watch the shock wave go across the Valley. Two major blasts. Ammonium Nitrate for Rocket Fuel

[1Worldwatcher]

I remember when  that happened Z, actually made the 'Mega Disasters' show on either Discovery or History, can't remember that part, but was devastating none the less. Good example.

1WW

[zorgon]

That was before we saw a 'terrorist' under every bed  

speaking of which...  ZZzzz zzzzzzzz

[micjer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROrpKx3aIjA&feature=player_embedded

[micjer]

#!