Integral Nitrogen

Humans have more than doubled the annual rate of nitrogen fixation (transformation of inert atmospheric molecular nitrogen, N2, to reactive forms of nitrogen, Nr) in the past 150 years. Reactive N is now accumulating in the environment on all local and regional scales. 

Nr accumulation contributes to many contemporary environmental problems, including eutrophication, ozone formation and acidification. The dossier “Global integrated nitrogen” summarizes PBL contributions to European and global studies related to the use and distribution of reactive nitrogen. This work involves the Integrated Model to Assess the Global Environment (IMAGE).

News

Publications

Costs and benefits of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer for global production of cereal grains in 2015 and in 2050 under contrasting scenarios

Surface-Water Nitrate Exposure to World Populations Has Expanded and Intensified during 1970−2010