Articles tagged with Nitrogen
A new projection suggests global food demand could double by 2050, putting a significant strain on the environment. If poor nations adopt high-yielding technologies and efficient nitrogen fertilizers, however, this burden can be reduced to half a billion acres.
Researchers identified carbon as the key atom in nitrogenase, an enzyme that converts atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for living things. The discovery could lead to a more efficient and environmentally friendly method for manufacturing fertilizer.
Scientists used powerful synchrotron spectroscopy and computational modeling to reveal carbon as the mystery atom in nitrogenase, a complex enzyme crucial for life. The research was published online in Science and provides insight into the chemistry of how the cluster behaves, a step toward unraveling its mechanism.
A team of chemists has gained new understanding of the Haber-Bosch process, which converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. By mimicking the process in solution using an iron-potassium complex, they discovered that three iron atoms break the strong N-N bonds to form a complex with Fe3N2 core.
Researchers measured gaseous nitrogen emissions in US lawns, finding denitrification removes excess nitrogen. Nitrogen removals were equivalent to 15% of annual fertilizer inputs, with most retained in lawn soils. The study's results are encouraging but highlight the need for further work on optimal soil management conditions.
Scientists have discovered that human activities are perturbing the nitrogen cycle in tropical forests, leading to an increase in nitrogen levels. This finding has significant implications for tree communities and global change models.
Crop sensors outperformed farmers in choosing nitrogen rates for corn fields, resulting in average yield increases of almost 2 bushels per acre. The technology reduced excess N applied by 25% without harming yields, offering a potential solution to environmental concerns about fertilizer pollution.
A 12-year study found that future forests can grow faster under elevated carbon dioxide levels, outpacing assumptions of reduced growth due to climate change. The increased growth is sustained by enhanced soil nitrogen cycling and a greater ability for trees to absorb nitrogen from the soil.
Researchers found increased nitrate levels in coastal waters of Korea and Japan since the 1980s, correlated with human-generated atmospheric nitrogen. This shift may influence marine plants and ecosystems, favoring organisms adapted to high nitrate conditions.
Feeding cows natural plant extracts can reduce dairy farm odors and feed costs. Adding tannins to cow feed reduces ammonia emissions from barn floors and fertilized fields by 28-49%. This study aims to provide a practical solution for the US dairy industry, which has been petitioned to regulate ammonia under the Clean Air Act.
A study by UC Davis researchers suggests that forest trees can tap into nitrogen in rocks, increasing their growth and ability to pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This discovery could significantly affect how rapidly the earth will warm in the future.
Excess nitrogen levels in air and water pose significant threats to human health, including respiratory problems and cancer risk. Nitrogen pollution also exacerbates climate change, but reducing it could lessen these impacts.
Soil nitrogen can remove pollutants from the atmosphere by forming hydroxyl radicals, which oxidize and wash out pollutants. The amount of nitrous acid released depends on soil acidity and water content.
A team of ecologists led by Ohio State University researchers found that younger, more diverse tree species are replacing aging aspens in the region's forests. These newer trees have higher light-use efficiency and can continue to store carbon, offsetting greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study shows that reducing nitrogen pollution from wastewater treatment plants can come with significant economic benefits, including up to $600 million per year. The study also found that using emissions credits could create an incentive for utilities to adopt technologies that reduce climate pollution and improve water quality.
Researchers have published a step-by-step plan to replace environmentally harmful nitrogen fertilizers with genetically altered crops that can naturally process atmospheric nitrogen. This switch could reduce agricultural costs and environmental damage, saving the world $150 billion annually.
Researchers have discovered modified rhodium that changes color in response to different gases, including nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon monoxide. This finding could lead to the development of more sensitive air quality sensors.
The NASA Aura Satellite has tracked the spread of nitrogen dioxide from New Mexico and Arizona wildfires, providing critical data on air quality. The satellite's Ozone Measuring Instrument (OMI) detected high levels of NO2 near the Las Conchas fire in New Mexico and the Wallow Fire in Arizona.
The Genesis mission analysis shows differences in oxygen and nitrogen isotopes between the sun and rocky inner planets, including Earth. These findings suggest that the solar system's formation was more complex than previously thought.
Researchers at University of Edinburgh discovered tiny seawater algae's survival strategies, which can aid in developing sustainable crops for biofuels and adapting to changing climates. The alga recycles nitrogen from its own body and absorbs alternative nutrients when food sources are scarce.
The Genesis mission has provided the first oxygen and nitrogen isotopic measurements of the Sun, showing significant differences from those on Earth. These results suggest that the solar system was formed through a complex process, with different astrophysical mechanisms contributing to the composition of space dust.
A new study reveals that ocean low-oxygen zones are expanding and contracting in response to climate changes, posing a significant threat to marine ecosystems. The research, led by UCLA scientists, found that these oxygen-depleted regions can have devastating effects on marine populations.
A record-sized Gulf of Mexico 'dead zone' is expected, driven by massive amounts of nutrients from the Mississippi River. The predicted size could surpass 8,500 square miles, threatening major fisheries and ecosystems.
The diving bell spider uses a gill-like structure to extract oxygen from stagnant water, allowing it to stay submerged for over a day. The spiders' metabolic rate is low, similar to other spiders that sit waiting for prey.
A recent study published in Global Change Biology reveals that sewage-derived nitrogen is becoming a dominant source of pollution in the Caribbean, threatening coral reefs and marine life. The researchers' findings suggest that poor stormwater management and wastewater treatment are to blame for this shift.
A team of researchers has identified the urea cycle in diatoms as a key player in recycling inorganic carbon and nitrogen, enabling them to quickly recover from nutrient withdrawal and respond to changes in their environment. The discovery sheds new light on the evolutionary relationships between diatoms, plants, and animals.
Researchers discovered that natural plant compounds known as tannins can reduce both nitrogen cow excretion and microbial enzyme activity in manure, resulting in a significant decrease in ammonia emissions. The study found that dietary tannin cut ammonia emissions from cows' manure by an average of 30%.
A team of researchers has deciphered the genome of a tropical marine organism, Lyngbya majuscula 3L, which produces substances with biomedical promise. The study provides insights into the genetics underlying their production and reveals key information about its limitations and shortcomings.
A European study finds that over 60% of key wildlife sites receive excessive aerial nitrogen pollution, threatening biodiversity. Concerted action is needed to address the issue and link conservation, air pollution, and agricultural policies.
A major new study reveals that nitrogen pollution is costing Europe around £60-£280 billion annually, more than double the income gained from using nitrogen fertilizers. The report also identifies key threats, including toxic algal blooms, air pollution, and loss of plant diversity.
Removing manure solids through a low-cost two-stage lagoon system increases nitrogen to phosphorus ratio, reducing environmental damage. This results in higher crop yields and greater nitrogen recovery compared to using whole manure.
Researchers at UCLA have successfully demonstrated the feasibility of using proteins as a significant raw material for biorefining and biofuel production. This breakthrough could potentially reduce greenhouse gas emissions by recycling nitrogen from protein biomass.
Researchers found that anaerobic lagoons in North and South Carolina have high levels of nitrogen-cycling genes but low denitrification enzyme activity, leading to acidification and eutrophication of surrounding ecosystems. The study highlights the need for improved waste management practices to minimize environmental harm.
Researchers found large amounts of ammonia in an asteroid, which could have provided a sustained source of reduced nitrogen essential for life. This discovery has significant implications for the origins-of-life theory and the potential for extraterrestrial life.
The study reveals that no single factor leads to a grasshopper outbreak, but rather multiple interacting factors are necessary. Grasshoppers have a significant impact on plants by altering nitrogen cycles in grasslands, which can either increase or decrease plant production depending on the type of vegetation they feed on.
A new study by Rice University researchers reveals that overfertilizing corn crops for ethanol production can lead to decreased cellulose content in plant residues, making it more difficult to extract ethanol. The study suggests using less fertilizer can improve feedstock quality and alleviate environmental damage.
A new free web-based tool calculates an individual's nitrogen footprint, measuring its impact on the environment and providing recommendations for reducing it. The tool aims to raise awareness about the nitrogen dilemma and encourage people to take action to mitigate its effects.
Researchers at UC Davis are presenting innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, including electrification of vehicles and producing biofuels. The university is also exploring celestial superfluids, which offer potential breakthroughs in materials science and technology.
Researchers found a strong link between climate and air pollution in Gothenburg, where extreme cold air from Siberia leads to high nitrogen oxide concentrations. The study, published in Atmospheric Environment, shows that air quality standards were exceeded more frequently during negative NAO phases.
A new framework for understanding biogeochemical cycles highlights the importance of balancing human needs with the health of the planet. This integrated view could help predict and manage climate change, improve sustainable forestry practices, and balance agricultural needs with estuary health.
A new special issue explores the interconnectedness of life on Earth through biogeochemical cycles. Key findings highlight the crucial role of microbes like chemolithotrophic microbes in transforming raw materials into biomass, supporting complex food webs.
A marine bacterium uses a biochemical trick to recycle iron, conserving precious metal for photosynthesis and nitrogen production. This strategy, called 'hot bunking,' allows the organism to thrive in iron-poor waters, increasing ocean productivity.
A new study by Oregon State University and USDA-Agricultural Research Service found that a combination of urea and CuEDTA with phosphonate-containing fungicides can reduce disease severity caused by Phytophthora syringae in pear trees. This treatment does not negatively impact tree nitrogen content or early defoliation.
Researchers found that high-nitrogen fertilizers can accelerate establishment of areca palm and Chinese hibiscus, but also induce magnesium deficiency. A balanced approach with moderate nitrogen levels is recommended for optimal plant quality.
Researchers from UNH found nitrous oxide emissions from global rivers and streams to be three times previous estimates, with waterways contributing significantly to human-caused nitrous oxide emissions. The study highlights the need for continued scientific research on drivers of climate change and potential solutions to reduce emissions.
A new national study reveals that streams and rivers produce significantly higher greenhouse gas emissions than previously estimated, with nitrous oxide emissions from river networks making up at least 10 percent of human-caused emissions. This research highlights the importance of effective mitigation strategies to reduce nitrogen inp...
A study by UC Merced marine biologist Michael Beman reveals that rising greenhouse gases are making ocean water more acidic, fundamentally altering the way nitrogen cycles throughout the sea. This change could have significant impacts on all forms of marine life.
A Michigan State University study found that rivers and streams are a significant source of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, contributing twice as much as previously estimated. The increased production can be linked to nitrogen fertilizers and crop cultivation, highlighting the need for reduced agricultural fertilizer use.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame discovered that streams and rivers are a significant source of nitrous oxide emission, a potent greenhouse gas. The study found that human activities such as fertilizer use and sewage discharges increase nitrogen levels in waterways, leading to higher nitrous oxide production rates.
Marine scientists found that ocean acidification decreases nitrification rates globally, which could lead to reduced nitrous oxide emissions. This decrease may also shift the available form of dissolved nitrogen in surface oceans, favoring certain plant species.
Researchers found that global river networks are the source of at least 10% of human-caused nitrous oxide emissions to the atmosphere, three times the IPCC estimate. Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change and stratospheric ozone destruction.
The cyanobacteria Cyanothece 51142 produces hydrogen gas at a rate roughly 10 times higher than its nearest competitors due to its unique genetic makeup and metabolic processes. This ability allows the microbes to survive on air, water, and sunlight alone.
Iron deficient soils in the North Central United States reduce soybean production by 12.5 million bushels annually. Researchers found that adding nitrogen fertilizer can exacerbate iron deficiency in low-efficient varieties, whereas efficient varieties are less affected.
Research from the University of Gothenburg reveals that cyanobacteria like Nodularia spumigena become more toxic when facing eutrophication conditions, producing hepatotoxin nodularin. This toxin attacks the liver, posing a risk to humans and livestock consuming contaminated water.
Researchers will sample over 250 sites in southeastern New Hampshire and Maine's tributaries to pinpoint high nitrate concentration sources. The goal is to develop effective management strategies targeting nitrogen reduction in Great Bay.
A USGS study reveals that growing corn for biofuels production has significant effects on water quality and quantity in northwestern Mississippi. Increased irrigation withdrawals from the MRVA aquifer contribute to declining water levels, while nitrogen fertilizer use can lead to low dissolved oxygen conditions in the Gulf of Mexico.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have made breakthroughs in the Haber-Bosch process, aiming to produce fertilizers more efficiently while reducing energy consumption. Their innovative approach uses single-crystal iron samples and ultra-high vacuum conditions to achieve significant improvements.
Excess nitrogen in groundwater and water bodies harms aquatic life; new denitrifying bioreactors can treat agricultural runoff and urban wastewater at a lower cost. Research confirms successful operation in various settings, including agricultural fields and small townships.
A study has characterized a crucial chemical reaction that affects ground-level ozone formation in urban areas. The research, funded by NSF and NASA, reveals that current computer models may underestimate ozone levels in urban areas by up to 10%.
Researchers found declining levels of nitrogen and phosphorus since the 1970s, indicating improved water quality in Everglades National Park. The study's findings suggest that the park's restoration methods have effectively reduced waste and improved ecosystem health.