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♤ Nitrous oxide (N2O) is naturally present in the atmosphere as part of the Earth’s nitrogen cycle, and has a variety of natural sources.
♤ However, human activities such as agriculture, fossil fuel combustion, wastewater management, and industrial processes are increasing the amount of N2O in the atmosphere.
Sources
Natural sources:
♤ Natural emissions of N2O are mainly from bacteria breaking down nitrogen in soils and the oceans.
Human induced:
♤ Agriculture. Nitrous oxide is emitted when people add nitrogen to the soil through the use of synthetic fertilizers. Nitrous oxide is also emitted during the breakdown of nitrogen in livestock manure and urine, which contributed to 6% of N2O emissions in 2010.
♤ Transportation. Nitrous oxide is emitted when transportation fuels are burned.
♤ Industry. Nitrous oxide is generated as a byproduct during the production of nitric acid, which is used to make synthetic commercial fertilizer, and in the production of adipic acid, which is used to make fibers, like nylon, and other synthetic products.
♤ Removal: Nitrous oxide is removed from the atmosphere when it is absorbed by certain types of bacteria or destroyed by ultraviolet radiation or chemical reactions.
Do you know?
Telecoeras, a single-horned, hippo-like grazer, once common in North America.