In some areas, like the Gulf of Mexico, the effects of nitrogen pollution from farming are so severe, it’s resulted in a marine ‘dead zone’ the size of Wales. This alters plant communities and kills fish. Here it encourages plant growth, sometimes resulting in ‘algal blooms’ which reduce light and oxygen levels in the water. Nitrogen pollution can also impact upon fish and other aquatic life.Īs reactive nitrogen is soluble, it can easily make its way into watercourses. This reduces wildlife diversity and damages plant health.Įxcessive application of synthetic fertilisers has been shown to acidify soils too, damaging soil health and reducing the productivity of soils.įind out more about the impacts of excess nitrogen on nature. Nitrogen pollution causes nitrogen-tolerant species to thrive and outcompete more sensitive wild plants and fungi. Most plants cannot tolerate synthetic fertilisers or high levels of nitrogen. The build-up of nitrogen in the environment is one of the main threats to global biodiversity.Įxcess nitrogen can damage delicate plant species, unbalancing the ecosystem. Recent modelling demonstrates that we can feed a growing European population a healthy diet, while greatly reducing fertiliser input. Synthetic fertiliser’s damaging effects have also been shown to be largely unnecessary a large amount of nitrogen applied to farms is surplus and provides no benefit to crop growth. These emissions contribute to climate change and, if not reduced, will prevent us reaching net zero targets – which are so crucial if we are to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. It stays in the atmosphere for an average of 114 years and is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Nitrous oxide is a long-lived greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. When used in excess, nitrogen fertilisers can be oxidised and lost to the air as nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide emissions from fertiliser use However, burning natural gas produces greenhouse gases including methane and carbon dioxide as waste products – which contribute to climate change.Ģ. This potent substance is high in nitrogen content so acts as an effective fertiliser. Natural gas is burned to extract liquid ammonia.
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Greenhouse gas emissions during fertiliser manufactureįossil fuels underpin the pro duction of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers. The production and use of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers contributes to climate change in two key ways:ġ. But what are the negative effects of nitrogen? Nitrogen: the forgotten greenhouse gas Global fertiliser use is high, and continues to grow in response to pressure to increase food production to feed a growing population. In some farming systems, nitrogen-based synthetic fertiliser is used instead of, or in addition to, nitrogen-fixing crops and manures. Historically, farmers did this by planting nitrogen-fixing crops like beans to draw nitrogen from the atmosphere into the soil before sowing their harvest crops and they added more nitrogen by applying manures.
It makes the sky blue, makes up most of the air we breathe and is found in all living things.Ĭapturing nitrogen and converting it into a useful form to help crops grow has sometimes proven challenging. Nitrogen makes up 78% of the Earth’s atmosphere. This excess nitrogen can have negative impacts on our climate, the natural environment and our health. Or, another cause is the breakdown of high volumes of animal manures and slurry – often found in intensive livestock units. This pollution is sometimes the result of synthetic fertiliser use. Nitrogen pollution is caused when some nitrogen compounds – like ammonia and nitrous oxide – become too abundant. It’s essential to all life on Earth, but it can be very damaging in excess. Nitrogen is an important element that gives plants the energy to grow.
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