Nitrogen Pollution

Why in news?
  • The annual Frontiers Report 2019 published by the United Nations (UN), has included a chapter on nitrogen pollution in its latest edition.
  • Pollution caused by the reactive forms of nitrogen is now being recognised as a grave environmental concern on a global level.
More in news
  • What is in report?
    (1) The report was released by the United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) in Nairobi.
    (2) It highlights that growing demand on the livestock, agriculture, transport, industry and energy sector has led to a sharp growth of the levels of reactive nitrogen.
    (3) The report claims that the total annual cost of nitrogen pollution to eco system and healthcare services in the world is around $340 billion.
  • Nitrogen:
    (1) Nitrogen is essential to all life on Earth as it forms an important component of life-building and propagating biochemical molecules like proteins.
    (2) N2O is 300 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (CO2).
    (3) India had become the third country after the United States and the European Union to have assessed the environmental impact of nitrogen on their respective regions comprehensively.
    (4) Rice and wheat take up the maximum cropped area in India at 36.95 million hectares (ha) and 26.69 million ha respectively.
Source
Down to earth




Posted by Jawwad Kazi on 8th Mar 2019
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