Cover Reactive nitrogen in Germany
Economy | Consumption, Air, Soil | Land, Agriculture

Reactive nitrogen in Germany

Causes and effects - measures and recommendations


Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for all living beings. However, many compounds containing nitrogen are harmful for the environment. Plant species adapted to nutrient-poor conditions are displaced from forests and heathland. Emissions of nitrous oxide from over-fertilized fields exacerbate climate change. In many places, manure is responsible for nitrate concentrations in groundwater climbing above the limit values. Excessive levels of nitrogen dioxide in ambient air from transport sources present a risk to human health. This analysis shows that nitrogen pollution can be markedly reduced. Since agriculture accounts for around two-thirds of nitrogen emissions in Germany, efforts should focus on this sector.

Series
brochure / flyer
Number of pages
56
Year of publication
Author(s)
Markus Geupel, Jakob Frommer
Language
English
Other languages
Publisher
Umweltbundesamt
File size
4465 KB
Price
0,00 €
Print version
not available
rated as helpful
281
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Tags:
 nirtogen  reactive nitrogen  biodiversity  eutrophication