Reduced nitrogen in ecology and the environment

Erisman, J. W.; Bleeker, A.; Galloway, J.; Sutton, M. S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6263-6341. 2007 Reduced nitrogen in ecology and the environment. Environmental Pollution, 150 (1). 140-149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2007.06.033

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Abstract/Summary

Abstract Since the beginning of the 19th century humans have increasingly fixed atmospheric nitrogen as ammonia to be used as fertilizer. The fertilizers are necessary to create amino acids and carbohydrates in plants to feed animals and humans. The efficiency with which the fertilizers eventually reach humans is very small: 5–15%, with much of the remainder lost to the environment. The global industrial production of ammonia amounts to 117 Mton NH3-N year−1 (for 2004). By comparison, we calculate that anthropogenic emissions of NH3 to the atmosphere over the lifecycle of industrial NH3 in agriculture are 45.3 Mton NH3-N year−1, about half the industrial production. Once emitted ammonia has a central role in many environmental issues. We expect an increase in fertilizer use through increasing demands for food and biofuels as population increases. Therefore, management of ammonia or abatement is necessary.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2007.06.033
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biogeochemistry > BG01 Measuring and modelling trace gas, aerosol and carbon > BG01.1 UK nitrogen and sulphur compounds
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Billett (to November 2013)
ISSN:	0269-7491
Additional Keywords:	Reduced nitrogen, Emission, Nitrogen cycle, Ammonia, Effects, Abatement
NORA Subject Terms:	Atmospheric Sciences
Date made live:	10 Mar 2008 16:25 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/2526

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