Eutrophication
Nutrification and the Rockwool impact
Too many nutrients can disrupt the eco-balance in water or soil. Eutrophication feeds poisonous, foul-smelling algae in bathing water. Dead fish that appear to have “suffocated” are a sign that algae have consumed most of the oxygen. In nitrogen enriched soils some endangered plants cannot survive.
The main sources of excessive nutrients are ammonia and nitrogen oxides that may emanate from manure, fertilizers or the air pollutants from burning fossil fuels. These nutrients accumulate in the atmosphere and then precipitate in raindrops and snowfl akes.
The impact of our products
A typical Rockwool loft insulation product will, in its lifetime, save 61 times more eutrophication components than were emitted during its production. The environmental balance for prevented airborne nutrients tips to positive 10 months after installation.
The impact of our production
The main source of unwanted nutrients from the Rockwool process is the ammonia evaporating from the binder during the spinning and curing processes. Nitrogen oxides are emitted in the melting process, where fossil fuels are needed, and in the curing process. The environmental equipment that cleans the flue gases by burning off ammonia and other organic residue also has its draw backs. Afterburner plants need energy and thus elevate the emission of nitrogen oxides. The total emission of nutrients has thus remained stable.
Bathing season: Extreme growth of algae may be poisonous and can stifle fish. The effect of eutrophication and excessive nutrients is most visible during hot summer months.
