Context:
A recent report published in Nature Communication highlights the exacerbation of water scarcity worldwide due to declining water quality, particularly attributed to nitrogen pollution in rivers.
Study On Nitrogen Pollution: Key Findings
- Introduction of “Clean Water Scarcity”: The study introduces the term “clean-water scarcity” and provides a comprehensive assessment considering both water quantity and quality.
- This assessment, based on global nitrogen pollution and incorporating various climatic and socio-economic scenarios.
- Impact of Nitrogen Pollution: Sub-basins (smaller working units within a larger river basin or catchment area) with water scarcity triples due to future nitrogen pollution worldwide.
- Expansion of Affected Areas: Water Pollution aggravates water scarcity in >2000 sub-basins worldwide out of more than 10,000 assessed sub-basin.
- Projected Water scarcity in 2050: 33% of global river sub-basins could face water scarcity.
- Impact on India: Nitrogen pollution is predominantly attributed to agricultural activities in the initial two climate scenarios.
- However, sewage is forecasted to become the primary source, surpassing agriculture, in the most severe scenario.
- Projected water scarcity hotspots: Nitrogen pollution could render many sub-basins in South China, Central Europe, North America, and Africa.
About Nitrogen Pollution
- It refers to the excessive presence of nitrogen compounds in the environment, often resulting from human activities such as agriculture, industrial processes, and transportation.
- This surplus of nitrogen can lead to various environmental problems, including water contamination, air pollution, and disruption of ecosystems.
The Vital Role of Nitrogen in Earth’s Ecosystems
- Nitrogen, the predominant gas in Earth’s atmosphere, is crucial for life as it is found in soil, food, and our DNA.
- Essential for crop fertility and protein synthesis, nitrogen is indispensable for the growth of all living organisms.
- Despite constituting 78% of the atmosphere, most organisms cannot directly utilize atmospheric nitrogen, necessitating conversion processes like nitrogen fixation.
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Sources of Nitrogen Pollution
- Agricultural Fertilizers: Overuse of nitrogen fertilizers can result in the emission of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere.
- Sewage:
- Food Waste: Significant amounts of nitrogen-rich waste are produced during the food production and supply chain, originating from both human and animal sources.
- Wastewater Treatment: Facilities lacking specific nitrogen removal processes can contribute to elevated nitrogen levels in surface and groundwater.
- Stormwater Runoff: Urban areas contribute to nitrogen pollution through stormwater runoff, which carries pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus from hard surfaces like roads and rooftops into nearby water bodies.
- Fossil Fuel Usage (Vehicular Pollution): Diesel-powered vehicles, including trucks and cars, contribute to nitrogen pollution despite advancements in cleaner fuel and pollution control technology.
Impact of Nitrogen Pollution
- Disruption of Ecosystems:
- In aquatic ecosystems: It leads to toxic algal blooms and coastal dead zones, posing a significant threat to biodiversity worldwide.
- Groundwater Pollution
- Deterioration of soil health
- Contribution to Climate Change: Fertilisers and agricultural emissions contribute to climate change through the release of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, and ammonia emissions, which lead to the formation of nitrous oxide and fine particulate matter pollution.
- Health Risks: Elevated nitrate levels in water sources increase the risk of methemoglobinemia in infants and cancer in adults.
- Ammonia emissions exacerbate air pollution, impacting human health adversely.
- Economic Impact: Ranging from US$340 billion to US$3.4 trillion annually, considering its effects on human health and ecosystems.
Steps Taken to Control Nitrogen Pollution
| At Global Level |
At India Level |
International Nitrogen Initiative:
- It is the leading science-policy platform for the sustainable management of nitrogen – highlighting its role as an essential resource and major environmental threat.
- It was set up in 2003 under sponsorship of the Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE) and from the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP).
Gothenburg Protocol (1999):
- It is a multi-pollutant protocol designed to reduce acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone by setting emissions ceilings for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and ammonia.
South Asia Nitrogen Hub (SANH):
- It aims to tackle the nitrogen challenge by bringing together experts from over 32 leading research organizations from across South Asia and the UK.
Colombo Declaration on Sustainable Nitrogen Waste Management:
- It aims to half the nitrogen waste by 2030.
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Soil Health Card:
- It provides farmers with insights into their soil’s nutritional status and recommendations for optimal nutrient application to enhance soil health and fertility.
- This initiative has contributed to a reduction in nitrogen consumption in agriculture.
Neem-Coated Urea:
- It has been made mandatory to enhance the effectiveness of nitrogen use in agriculture.
- Coating urea with neem slows down nitrogen release, allowing plants more time to absorb it efficiently.
Bharat Stage Norms:
- It regulated the vehicular emission of harmful gas in particular to SO2, NO2 etc.
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Conclusion
Addressing nitrogen pollution through sustainable management is crucial for achieving global sustainable development goals and improving economic efficiency.
Also Read: Interim Budget 2024-2025
News Source : DTE
9 Feb 2024
