Fertilizer boxes (transported by trucks)

Fertilizer manufacture accounts for 63 per cent of the anthropogenic fixation of pure nitrogen to reactive nitrogen. Half of nitrogen fertilizers added to farm fields ends up as pollution.

Cars

The transport sector contributes to more than 65 per cent of reactive nitrogen produced by fossil fuel combustion.

Waste water

Nitrogen pollution through wastewater causes eutrophication and affects biodiversity.

Crop field

Biological nitrogen fixation in crop production is responsible for 24 per cent of the conversion of pure nitrogen to reactive nitrogen.

Industry

High temperature combustion of coal, petroleum and natural gas releases a large amount of reactive nitrogen. Fossil fuel combustion is responsible for 13 per cent of the anthropogenic fixation of pure nitrogen to reactive nitrogen.

Food waste

Reactive nitrogen is also lost to the environment through food waste. Every year about 1/3 of the food produced globally for human consumption is lost or wasted.

Greenhouse gas

Reactive nitrogen is 300 times more potent than CO₂. It also damages the ozone layer.

Biodiversity

Nitrogen deposition is the most influential global driver of anthropogenic biodiversity decline besides habitat destruction and the emission of greenhouse gases.

Water quality

High nitrate concentrations in drinking water are dangerous for human health, and nitrogen enrichment in aquatic ecosystems is responsible for toxic algal blooms, water anoxia, fish kills and habitat and biodiversity loss.

The build-up of nitrogen pollution in the environment is a significant threat to global biodiversity, particularly to that of freshwater and marine habitats by leading to eutrophication and hypoxic or ‘dead’ zones that support no aquatic life.

Air quality

Atmospheric emissions of nitrogen oxides and ammonia are contributing to a number of negative effects to human health and ecosystems.

Soil quality

High nitrogen inputs threaten soil quality, which in turn may negatively affect food and biomass production and biodiversity and enhance emissions of harmful nitrogen compounds from soils to water and the atmosphere.

Banks/Financial Centre

The amount of lost nitrogen resources also represents a significant cash loss, which is estimated to be around US $200 billion.

Human health

Nitrogen pollution also impacts human health. This has been particularly relevant during the coronavirus pandemic, as agricultural ammonia emissions combined with pollution from vehicle exhausts create extremely dangerous particulates in the air, which can ultimately exacerbate respiratory diseases.

Government

Governments need to be engaged through improved legislation and enforcement of municipal, national, and international policies that promote practices for the sustainable use of nitrogen.

Private Sector

The scientific, political, and private sector communities need to bridge the gaps between science, policy, and practice and support the development of a roadmap to reduce nitrogen pollution.

The Public

Improved knowledge among the general public about nitrogen pollution can increase their commitments to the issue and lead them to raise their voices and alter their own consumption choices.

Sustainable Development Goals

Most of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are closely interlinked with sustainable nitrogen management. Meeting these goals in parallel depends on awareness of efficient and sustainable nitrogen management.

Urgent Action

When it comes to nitrogen, out of sight can't be out of mind. Taking all factors into account, it seems evident that enhancing sustainable nitrogen management represents a crucial endeavour to secure the planet's future.