Articles tagged with Nitrogen
A strategic mix of cover crops reduces nitrogen loss in the Chesapeake Bay, while also increasing yields in subsequent cash crops. Mixtures with a high proportion of legumes and a low rate of cereal rye are most effective.
A Princeton-led research team reconstructed ocean nitrogen levels from 70 million years ago to 30 million years ago, showing a significant increase in oxygen after the India-Asia collision. This finding reveals that plate tectonics had a major impact on ocean chemistry and life conditions.
A study by Carnegie ecologists found that climate change is a key factor in increasing nitrogen runoff into US waterways, exacerbating eutrophication. The research analyzed historical trends and found that warming temperatures and precipitation patterns are directly linked to higher nitrogen levels.
A team of researchers used a reduced order model to analyze data from high-fidelity simulations, gaining new knowledge about chemical reactions in hypersonic flows. The study looked at three types of gas compositions and found that vibrations temperatures could be predicted, as well as the formation of nitric oxide in small amounts.
Researchers from Michigan State University used satellite imagery to quantify nitrogen losses in Midwestern corn fields. They found that nearly $1 billion worth of fertilizer is wasted annually, resulting in 6.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
A new MIT study suggests that primitive ponds, rather than oceans, were more suitable for brewing up Earth's first life forms. Shallow bodies of water, on the order of 10 centimeters deep, could have held high concentrations of nitrogen, a key ingredient for jump-starting life.
A recent study estimates that 4 million children worldwide develop asthma each year due to exposure to nitrogen dioxide pollution. The study found that urban areas account for 64% of these new cases, and cities with high NO2 concentrations also experience high levels of greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study connects excess nutrients in West Maui's coastal waters to a sewage treatment facility that injects treated wastewater into the ground. The researchers developed a procedure for analyzing nitrogen isotopes in coral skeletons, providing a 40-year record of changes in nitrogen sources over time.
A study analyzed biomarkers in bird feces from pond sediment cores to reconstruct seaduck population changes throughout the 20th century. The analysis revealed long-term declines in seaducks across colonies facing high hunting pressure, likely linked to Inuit community relocation and gun introduction.
A Cornell dairy nutrition model has been updated to help farmers reduce nitrogen in manure and waterways. Research found that feeding cows less protein can maintain milk production while reducing nitrogen excretion by 14-18% and saving farmers $147-$157 per cow annually.
Researchers discovered that genes respond differently to individual amounts of water and nitrogen versus their combination. This finding has implications for engineering crops that can thrive in dry or nutrient-poor soils, which could increase global food production.
A newly discovered mechanism in plant nutrition could help achieve higher harvests in a sustainable way. The study found that the balance between nitrogen and phosphorus is crucial for crop yield, with nitrogen controlling phosphate absorption.
Researchers at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel have directly detected oceanic nitrification process by measuring hydroxylamine, a short-lived compound. The new method allows for quick and simple analysis of nitrous oxide formation in the ocean.
Researchers have developed a new catalyst that can efficiently break down ammonia in the air, converting it into harmless nitrogen gas and water. The catalyst, made of gold nanoparticles on a metal oxide framework, is effective at room temperature and has been shown to reduce gases contaminated with ammonia to undetectable levels.
Researchers from Germany have developed a completely new chemical reaction that uses boron-containing molecules to directly couple two molecules of N2 into a N4 chain. This breakthrough enables the direct generation of longer nitrogen chains under mild conditions, bypassing traditional methods like the Haber-Bosch process.
Reduced NOx emissions lower particulate matter production through decreased oxidant abundance. Atmospheric autoxidation of plant compounds decreases with NOx reductions, consistent with US observations from 1990 to 2010.
A study by the USDA Forest Service reveals that more nitrogen from rain and snow reaches streams than previously believed, flowing downstream at a faster rate through US and Canadian forests. This unprocessed nitrate bypasses biological filters, contributing to forest decline and growth of nuisance vegetation.
Scientists have found a new way for microorganisms to convert nitrogen into a form usable by organisms in the Arctic Ocean. This process, known as nitrogen fixation, could make phytoplankton more productive, ultimately decreasing atmospheric carbon levels.
A joint study by King's College London and Airparif found that air pollution in both cities has improved since 2010, but not enough to meet legal limits. Newer diesel cars and buses have led to declines in particle pollution, while nitrogen dioxide levels from traffic in London have deteriorated.
Researchers at Tianjin University have developed an alternative strategy for synthesizing nitric acid and ammonia through electrochemical reactions using air and waste nitrate combined electrocatalytic process. This approach offers a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly method compared to traditional industrial processes.
A new study published in Environmental Research Letters finds that the volume of the Gulf of Mexico's dead zone is more responsive to nitrogen load reductions than its area. This suggests that measuring hypoxic volume could be a more effective way to assess the impacts of nutrient pollution on fisheries.
The study found that anthropogenic nitrogen discharge significantly increased DIN in US rivers due to fertilizer use, while European rivers were affected by point source pollution. The total anthropogenic impact on Pacific Ocean export has risen from 10% to 30% over the past 20 years.
Research reveals that power plants in India take the highest toll on human health due to particulate matter and sulfur dioxide emissions. The study also highlights the need for upgrading or shutting down outdated coal power plants to mitigate global warming and air pollution.
New research using compound-specific isotope analysis reveals that Neandertals had a predominantly carnivorous diet, primarily consisting of large herbivores. The study also sheds light on the possibility of late weaning and cannibalism in Neandertal populations.
Rice University scientists have developed a novel method to incorporate nitrogen into molecules, bypassing traditional multi-step processes. This breakthrough enables the quick and efficient production of valuable alpha-aminoketones, which are crucial for drug design and synthesis.
A study by Rice University suggests that a planetary collision formed the moon and delivered life-essential elements to Earth. The research found that Earth's carbon and nitrogen content is consistent with a moon-forming impact involving a volatile-bearing, Mars-sized planet with a sulfur-rich core.
A new study suggests that the 'cooking' of ancient organic material created Titan's thick nitrogen atmosphere. The research, led by Dr. Kelly Miller, proposes that approximately half of the nitrogen atmosphere could result from this process.
A study from Indiana University predicts that climate change will lead to increased air pollutants from US forest soils, which can cause smog, acid rain, and respiratory problems. Tree species such as maple, sassafras, and tulip poplar are found to promote the release of nitrogen oxides.
The UK Government has committed £19.6 million to a research project addressing nitrogen pollution in South Asia, with potential solutions for sustainable agriculture and industrial recycling. The project aims to form a coherent picture of the nitrogen cycle and support progress towards meeting United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Researchers have discovered black phosphorus as an excellent catalyst for the electroreduction of nitrogen to produce ammonia. The material exhibits high selectivity and efficiency in this process, making it a promising alternative to traditional methods. However, further improvements are needed to prevent degradation over time.
Researchers have developed an efficient way to manage nitrogen in agriculture, using light sensors to monitor crop health and vitality. This approach reduces nitrogen fertilizer application, decreases environmental pollution, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions, increasing economic returns for farmers.
Researchers estimate that saturated buffers, vegetated strips of land between tile-drained fields and waterways, could reduce agricultural drainage nitrogen by 5 to 10 percent. This approach is inexpensive and can be easily integrated with farming practices.
Researchers discovered that adding fertilizers to ridges and combining with plastic mulching increases yield by 9.7% and reduces nitrogen loss by 72.5%. The study highlights the importance of targeted fertilizer application to optimize nitrogen consumption and reduce environmental impact.
Researchers Julie Renner and Mohan Sankaran have developed an electrolytic process with a plasma to create ammonia from nitrogen and water at low temperature and pressure. This process could lead to smaller, more localized ammonia plants powered by alternative energy.
Researchers discovered that levitated droplets can self-propel across a cryogenic liquid surface, gliding and oscillating without friction. The phenomenon is driven by an asymmetry between the front and back of the drop, emerging in the supporting film's thickness.
A bright source of femtosecond soft X-ray pulses has been created using extreme high-order harmonic generation process. This enables the simultaneous local probing at both carbon and nitrogen sites within molecules, facilitating multiple-site investigation with potential correlations between these sites upon molecular rearrangements.
Researchers used high-powered supercomputing techniques to simulate extreme conditions and determine the maximum amount of nitrogen in the Earth's outer core. The study provides critical insights into the planet's chemical composition and its potential impact on habitability.
A West Virginia University researcher suggests that forests are experiencing declining health due to climate change, leading to unbalanced growth and increased risk of disease. To restore a balanced diet, researchers recommend severely cutting back or ending fossil fuel use.
Thaumarchaeota, a key player in the marine nitrogen cycle, can now be shown to utilize organic nitrogen sources like cyanate and urea. This discovery may explain their exceptional success in the oceans. The specific mechanisms behind these organisms' ability to use cyanate are still unknown.
New research reveals that marine ammonia oxidizing archaea can use cyanate and urea as alternative energy sources, enhancing their metabolic capabilities. This discovery sheds light on the remarkable adaptability of these microorganisms, which play a key role in the marine nitrogen cycle.
A new online calculator and guidance aid farmers in designing woodlands to recapture airborne ammonia emissions from farming, reducing air pollution. The tool, developed by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, estimates the percentage of ammonia that will be recaptured by different planting options.
A new type of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria, UCYN-A, has been found in the cold waters of the Arctic Ocean, challenging traditional assumptions about its presence. This discovery reveals that nitrogen fixation by UCYN-A occurs globally, including in frigid Arctic waters.
Researchers at University of Utah Health found a 16 percent increased risk of miscarriage for women exposed to elevated air pollution levels, particularly nitrogen dioxide. The study suggests air quality is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and highlights the need for constructive solutions.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have confirmed the existence of a long-hypothesized interaction between nitrogen and titanium dioxide in the presence of light. This catalytic reaction could provide a new source of farm fertilizer, reducing costs for farmers in developing nations.
Despite improvements in air quality, the study found little impact on child lung health, with reduced lung function and asthma symptoms observed. Children still live in highly polluted areas, posing lifelong health risks, emphasizing the need for further action to tackle high levels of air pollution.
Researchers at EPFL have successfully converted molecular nitrogen into ammonia using mild low-energy conditions. The development of a uranium-oxo bridge allows for easy cleavage of the bound dinitrogen complex to produce cyanamide, a widely used compound in agriculture and pharmaceuticals.
Researchers create crystallized version of nitrogen by subjecting it to extreme pressures and temperatures, revealing a complex structure made up of dozens of molecules. The study resolves speculation on the structure of ι-N2, known as nitrogen's elusive form discovered 15 years ago.
Research suggests that human hosts are starving their microbial communities of nutrients, potentially undermining the benefits of the microbiome. This could lead to a shift in the balance of power between humans and microbes, with implications for our health and well-being.
A Chinese research team has developed a new chemical looping process for synthesizing ammonia from nitrogen gas, water, and renewable energy. The process offers great promise for saving energy and reducing carbon dioxide emissions, potentially addressing the challenges of the energy and environmental crisis.
A new study by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has identified new regulators of nitrogen use in plants, which may lead to the development of crops better suited to thrive under different environmental conditions. The researchers found that eliminating certain genes can stunt plant growth and distort roots when nitrogen is scarce.
Researchers at UC Davis and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered a gene network that enables plant roots to efficiently take up and metabolize nitrogen. This breakthrough could lead to the development of crop varieties that need less fertilizer or make better use of it, reducing environmental impacts.
Agricultural Research Service scientists have identified key genes and transcription factors in plants that allow them to direct nitrogen to their roots, shoots, flowers, and seed heads. This knowledge may enable the breeding of new plant varieties with improved nitrogen use efficiency.
A new study suggests that declining nitrogen availability in natural ecosystems like grasslands and forests may limit plants' ability to absorb carbon dioxide. This could have significant implications for the global climate, as plants play a crucial role in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers found a global decline in nitrogen availability due to climate change, which can impact forest carbon sequestration and ecosystem health. The study suggests that even with reduced carbon emissions, many ecosystems will face nitrogen limitations, highlighting the need for sustainable land management practices.
Scientists have created a single-molecule magnet that retains its memory properties above -196°C, paving the way for higher-capacity hard disks. The breakthrough, led by University of Jyväskylä researchers, uses liquid nitrogen instead of liquid helium, making it more affordable and accessible.
A new study suggests that requiring manufacturers to sell nitrogen fertilizers with efficient compounds could reduce air and water pollution from nitrogen use by 16 percent. This approach could earn farmers millions of dollars through higher crop yields and reduce total costs of nitrogen pollution up to $5-7 billion.
Researchers propose that applying CAFE-style standards to fertilizer production could yield $5-8 billion in economic benefits for the US corn sector. The approach aims to incentivize technology development and reduce nitrogen pollution, with potential environmental and human health gains.
Scientists have developed a metal-organic framework that can take up gaseous ammonia at densities similar to those of liquid ammonia, making it suitable for storage and handling. The framework's unique sorption mode allows for reversible adsorption and desorption of ammonia.
Recent research suggests that anthropogenic nitrogen inputs to the North Atlantic may be lower than previously thought. Coral skeletons show minimal changes in nitrogen isotope ratio over the past 130 years, contradicting model simulations predicting a significant decline.
A 130-year-old brain coral's skeleton provided evidence that the North Atlantic Ocean has significantly less nitrogen pollution than previously estimated. The study found no signs of increased human-made nitrogen emissions, suggesting U.S. pollution control measures are effective in limiting ocean impact.