A recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlights the alarming rise in nitrogen pollution.
Key Findings of the Report
- Rising Emissions: Humans add 150 teragrammes (Tg) of reactive nitrogen annually, projected to reach 600 Tg/year by 2100 due to climate change.
- Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE): Global NUE declined from 56% (1961) to 40% (1980s) and rebounded to 56% by 2022.
- Main Contributors: Livestock emissions account for one-third of total nitrogen emissions, along with synthetic fertilizers, land-use changes, and manure.
- Regional Impact: Nitrogen pollution is most severe in North America, Western Europe, and parts of Asia due to extensive fertilizer misuse.
- Crop Variations: NUE varies by crop, e.g., soybeans (80%) vs. fruits/vegetables (14% in 2010).
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About Nitrogen
- Nitrogen in the Atmosphere: Nitrogen constitutes 78% of Earth’s atmosphere, but this nitrogen exists in an inert form that most organisms cannot utilize.
Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE)
- Nitrogen use efficiency refers to the yield of a crop relative to the nitrogen (natural and artificial) available to it.
- It is defined as the ratio of the amount of nitrogen effectively utilised by crops to the amount of nitrogen applied. It measures how well a plant uses nitrogen for growth and productivity.
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- Reactive Nitrogen: Through natural processes like nitrogen fixation by legumes and industrial methods (e.g., the Haber-Bosch process), nitrogen becomes reactive and usable.
- The Haber-Bosch process involves the transformation of Atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3) via a reaction with hydrogen (H2).
- This process employs a metal catalyst (iron) and operates under high temperatures and pressures.
- This has significantly boosted global food production over the past century.
- Negative Impact: Human-driven nitrogen flows have increased tenfold in the last 150 years. Around 80% of reactive nitrogen is lost to the environment annually, leading to soil and water pollution, biodiversity loss, and health issues.
Sources of Nitrogen Pollution
- Agriculture: Excessive use of synthetic fertilizers.
- Livestock emissions, contributing about one-third of global nitrogen pollution.
- Mismanagement of manure.
- Industrial Activities: Emissions from factories and coal power plants.
- Vehicle Emissions: Nitrogen oxides from exhausts.
- Land-Use Change: Deforestation and habitat alteration.
Impact of Nitrogen Pollution
- Climate Change: Nitrous oxide is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas and has a 200-year atmospheric lifetime, contributing significantly to global warming and ozone depletion.
- Biodiversity Loss: Over-fertilization of ecosystems, causing sensitive species to be outcompeted.
- Creation of oceanic “dead zones” and toxic algal blooms.
- Health Risks: Ground-level ozone and smog caused by nitrogen oxides lead to respiratory diseases.
- Dangerous particulates from agricultural ammonia emissions exacerbate health conditions.
- Economic Costs: The annual cost of nitrogen resource losses is estimated at $200 billion globally.
International Efforts to Control Nitrogen Pollution
- Colombo Declaration: A global initiative aimed at halving nitrogen waste by 2030.
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- Encourages investment in research and sustainable practices.
- United Nations Frameworks: Integration of nitrogen management in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Multilateral Environmental Agreements addressing nitrogen-related challenges.
- Scientific Collaboration: UNEP supports research on nitrogen sources and mitigation strategies.
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Way Forward for Addressing Nitrogen Pollution
- Promote Sustainable Agriculture: Encourage the use of organic fertilizers, biological nitrogen fixation, and precision farming to minimize nitrogen losses and enhance NUE.
- Adopt Effective Policy Frameworks: Develop region-specific policies to regulate nitrogen use, emphasizing circular bioeconomy approaches and sustainable livestock distribution.
- Enhance Industry Practices: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions during fertilizer production and improve storage, transport, and application processes to minimize waste.
- Increase Awareness and Training: Educate farmers on efficient nitrogen use, manure management, and crop rotation strategies to reduce environmental impact.
- Global Commitments: Align national goals with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Colombo Declaration to reduce nitrogen emissions and meet biodiversity targets.
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23 Jan 2025
