Articles tagged with Nitrogen
New data from a 10,000-kilometer cruise reveals that iron availability significantly controls the input of fixed nitrogen into the Atlantic Ocean. This finding is crucial for understanding global climate patterns and their potential implications on carbon dioxide sequestration.
Scientists estimate that lightning produces 8.6 million metric tons of nitrogen oxide gas per year, mostly affecting the upper atmosphere. New research suggests stronger NOx production in mid-latitude thunderstorms than previously thought, with implications for climate and air quality models.
Researchers at Caltech have discovered that methane-consuming archaea are actively fixing nitrogen and sharing it with their bacterial neighbors. This finding may help explain the discrepancy between known sources and sinks of fixed nitrogen in the global nitrogen cycle.
A new study suggests that China's efforts to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions may not mitigate the effects of acid rain if nitrogen emissions are not addressed. The research highlights the importance of integrating measures to reduce sulfur, nitrogen, and particulate matter in order to effectively control pollution.
A new study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests that air pollution may trigger appendicitis in adults. The research found correlations between high levels of ozone and nitrogen dioxide and the incidence of appendicitis among different age groups and genders.
Researchers propose nine planetary boundaries, including climate change and biodiversity loss, which have already been crossed or are at risk of being transgressed. The study aims to provide an important element for sustainable development by identifying critical thresholds that humanity must respect.
Researchers have found a candidate quantum bit in diamond that can sense atomic-scale variations in magnetism, hinting at the possibility of MRI-like devices for probing individual drug molecules and living cells. This technology could sidestep the need for cooling, making it suitable for medical applications.
A Princeton-led team of scientists has found that denitrification is the dominant process in returning nitrogen to the air in low-oxygen ocean environments. The team's research confirms the importance of conventional denitrification and suggests that the current mainstream view on the nitrogen cycle may be based on a false impression.
Scientists are presenting research on coupled biogeochemical cycles, which study the interactions between Earth's biology, chemistry, and geology. The study highlights the importance of understanding these interconnected processes in addressing human impacts such as global warming and acid rain.
Researchers find that nitrogen oxides combine with hydrochloric acid to create chlorine atoms, speeding up smog formation and contributing to corrosion indoors. This phenomenon should be added to atmospheric models to better predict air pollution levels.
A recent study found that climate change models may underestimate the impact of changing atmospheric chemistry on water runoff. The researchers discovered that increased concentrations of carbon dioxide and ozone in the atmosphere and nitrogen in the soil can lead to a 17% increase in forest runoff in eastern US forests.
Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln shows that invasive plant species like Eastern white pine can accumulate and hold onto nitrogen, leading to increased biomass and productivity. This nitrogen accumulation allows the plants to outcompete native species and invade their habitats.
A Stanford University study reveals dramatic differences in fertilizer use between China and sub-Saharan Africa, with excessive use in China causing environmental harm while inadequate inputs in Africa lead to soil depletion. The report warns against a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to managing global food production.
The new grants will study the use and impacts of nitrogen, essential to life but also causing environmental problems such as climate change. The research aims to improve data-collection methods and quantify necessary reductions in nitrous oxide emissions to reduce agricultural pollution.
Researchers have found a new proxy to study the nitrogen cycle, revealing that humans have disrupted it by altering the amount of nitrogen stored in the biosphere. The team traced the source of nitrates to nitric oxides released through fossil fuel burning and found significant changes between 1950 and 1980.
Excess phosphorus and nitrogen from human activities harm aquatic life and ecosystems; a dual nutrient strategy is needed to tackle both issues. The study highlights the need to consider the entire freshwater-marine continuum for effective nutrient control.
The study clarifies the chemical nature of the ISNT and its relationship to microbial growth. It finds that the test mainly detects bacterial amino sugars, suggesting this form of soil nitrogen is key to its effectiveness in predicting corn yield response.
A new study published in PNAS reveals that Trichodesmium separates its carbon and nitrogen fixation processes by time, with the process switching between the two every day. The stunning images obtained using advanced imaging technology show where the fixed nitrogen is stored within a cell and how it changes over time.
Research by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientists discovered water acts as a catalyst in complex explosive reactions at high temperatures and pressures. Water transports oxygen between reaction centers, challenging the current view that it's just a stable detonation product.
A study in the Catskill Mountains reveals that certain tree species retain more nitrogen in their soils, reducing leaching losses. The research found that sugar maple trees are particularly susceptible to nitrogen leaching, while forests dominated by red oak and hemlock retain more nitrogen.
Reducing both nitrogen and phosphorus is crucial to alleviate eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems. Policymakers must adopt holistic approaches to address the root causes of pollution, as single-nutrient reduction strategies can lead to downstream problems.
A team of scientists recommends a two-pronged approach to managing nutrient pollution, which includes reducing both phosphorus and nitrogen inputs along the land-to-ocean continuum.
Researchers found that diverse croplands lead to lower dissolved nitrogen levels in surrounding watersheds, reducing aquatic pollution. The study suggests that policy changes can mitigate the negative impacts of agriculture on water quality through crop rotation and buffer zone implementation.
Researchers found that high crop biodiversity leads to less dissolved nitrogen in surrounding watersheds, suggesting a buffer effect from grasslands and woodlands. This could indicate a reversible impact if policy changes prioritize farming practices like crop rotation, smaller fields, and native perennial grasses.
Researchers have confirmed that prairies' best soils retain organic carbon and nitrogen pools relatively constant under modern production methods. Most of the early decline occurred in top 50cm soil layers, with evidence of carbon and nitrogen movement to deeper layers.
Scientists from CNRS and University of Reading applied linked rainfall-runoff and Integrated Catchment Model of Nitrogen (INCA-N) models to simulate daily flow and nitrate dynamics in the Garonne watershed. The study found that 75% of the NO3-N river load came from arable farming in the lowlands.
A team of Princeton researchers found that molybdenum is crucial for controlling the biological conversion of nitrogen in tropical rainforests, supporting plant growth. The discovery has implications for global climate change policy, as it may limit the amount of carbon dioxide that tropical rainforests can absorb.
Scientists at the University of New Hampshire have discovered a link between forest foliage nitrogen levels and canopy albedo, which could influence climate change predictions. The study suggests that trees with high foliar nitrogen have a two-fold effect on climate by absorbing more CO2 and reflecting more solar radiation.
A new microbe, discovered in the open ocean, lacks genes needed for photosynthesis, yet provides natural fertilizer to the oceans by fixing nitrogen. Its unique metabolism may have implications for understanding carbon and nitrogen cycles in ocean ecosystems.
Freshwater pollution by phosphorus and nitrogen has significant economic impacts, including increased water treatment costs and decreased property values. According to K-State researchers, the estimated annual cost of freshwater pollution in the US is at least $4.3 billion.
A new study by Professor Grace Brush highlights the negative impact of fertilizer use on water quality and fish populations in Chesapeake Bay. The imbalanced nitrogen cycle has led to eutrophication, reducing oxygen concentrations and affecting aquatic life.
A new study found that wildfires lead to significant losses of carbon and nitrogen in forest soils, with over 10 tons per acre of carbon lost and between 450-620 pounds per acre of nitrogen lost. This can negatively impact soil productivity and contribute to global warming.
High levels of nitrogen dioxide from stoves can aggravate asthma symptoms in inner-city preschoolers, according to a new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine. The researchers found that each 20-point increase in NO2 levels led to 10% more days of cough and 15% more days with limited speech due to wheezing.
Lichens can reveal nitrogen air pollution's impact on Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino mountain ecosystems. Protecting lichens safeguards less sensitive species.
Researchers found a novel connection between high levels of air pollution and the risk of appendicitis, with patients approximately 15% more likely to be hospitalized on days of highest ozone concentrations. The effect was strongest during summer months, when people were more outside.
Researchers found that using nitrogen fertilizer on rye cover crops increased biomass output and made more nitrogen available to cotton. The study's findings suggest improving soil quality and nutrient management can enhance agricultural productivity.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have created a new class of stable molecules that could revolutionize the field of molecular semiconductors. The discovery involves replacing one atom in a carbon fullerene with nitrogen, creating a unique electronic bond that could improve the sensitivity of MRI and NMR technologies.
Researchers found that site-specific nitrogen and seed density management strategies did not consistently increase profit, but may benefit in certain situations with high maize to nitrogen fertilizer price ratios. Fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency was high across all site-years.
Scientists at Carnegie Institution's Geophysical Laboratory study nitrogen under extreme conditions, discovering changes in its melting temperature and structure. These findings could lead to the development of new high-energy fuels with potentially higher energy content than existing materials.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have created a computer model that maps the metabolism of Nostoc bacteria, revealing a previously unknown link between energy production and nitrogen fixation. This breakthrough could lead to improved hydrogen production and further investigation into synthetic biology.
Duke University scientists found that microbes' nutrient balance affects carbon dioxide release into the atmosphere. A universal mathematical formula can predict decomposition patterns globally.
A 37-year experiment on Lake 227 found that controlling nitrogen levels does not correct polluted lakes and may exacerbate the issue. The study's results contradict EU practices and previous research, highlighting the severity of cultural eutrophication globally.
This year's predicted dead zone off the coast of Louisiana and Texas could measure a record 8,800 square miles, threatening valuable commercial and recreational Gulf fisheries. The area experiences low oxygen levels due to high nutrient levels from human activities.
Researchers found high levels of heavy nitrogen and carbon isotopes in peat samples from the Tunguska disaster region, supporting the meteorite theory. The study suggests that increased concentrations of iridium and nitrogen in the relevant peat layers also support this theory.
The Argonne-developed Diesel DeNOx Catalyst can reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel-fueled engines by 95-100 percent. The technology uses inexpensive metals and diesel fuel as a reductant, making it economical to produce and use.
The book offers a holistic approach to understanding nitrogen management, emphasizing accountability and nitrogen budgeting. The authors' broad perspectives address the nitrogen cycle's impact on climate change and soil fertility.
A team of researchers led by UC Davis faculty member Benjamin Houlton has resolved a longstanding paradox in the plant world. They found that temperature and phosphorus abundance play key roles in determining the presence of nitrogen-fixing tree species in temperate and tropical forests.
Scientists have explained the enigmatic distribution of nitrogen-fixing trees by recognizing the role of temperature and phosphorus abundance. In temperate forests, the high cost of producing the enzyme nitrogenase offsets the benefit of nitrogen fixation despite low-nitrogen soils.
Scientists found that tree canopy levels affect nitrogen fixation rates in feather mosses, regulating forest productivity and carbon consumption. High nitrogen deposition from pollution reduces moss nitrogen fixation rates.
Research reveals that forest canopies influence nitrogen fixation rates by controlling the amount of nitrogen deposited on mosses. High canopy nitrogen levels reduce nitrogen fixation, while low levels increase it.
A new study reveals that longer, more complex crop rotations increase organic corn yields by 30%, while also improving soybean yields. The results show that diverse crop systems can help address production challenges in organic grain crop production.
Two new papers by leading environmental scientists highlight the 'nitrogen cascade,' where a single atom of reactive nitrogen can cause harm to ecosystems and human health. The researchers suggest minimizing nitrogen use through optimizing plant uptake, recovering nitrogen from manure, and decreasing emissions from fossil fuel combustion.
A new study by an international team of scientists found that around one-third of the nitrogen entering the world's oceans from the atmosphere is man-made. This has significant implications for global climate change as it leads to increased marine biological activity and CO2 uptake, producing nitrous oxide emissions.
A team of scientists found that human-caused nitrogen compounds entering the ocean may remove up to 10% of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, this gain is offset by the release of nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse gas.
A UMCES-led research team has developed a new technology to quantify the environmental benefits of urban stream restoration, showing that stream restoration techniques can double nitrogen removal rates by microbes and reduce nitrogen levels in ground water. This breakthrough will help improve water quality in urban environments.
Soil scientists have created a new mathematical model that can accurately calculate the quantities of nitrous oxide produced during wastewater treatment processes like anammox and denitrification. This breakthrough aims to improve wastewater treatment effectiveness and reduce N2O emissions, a key concern for climate protection.
An international team of scientists has discovered a crucial clue to the delay of animal life on Earth, suggesting that oxygen and molybdenum deficiencies in ancient oceans may have hindered complex life's evolution. The research, published in Nature, sheds light on the development of early life and its connection to ocean chemistry.
Using a systems biology approach, researchers identified that the master gene controlling the biological clock is sensitive to nutrient status in Arabidopsis. The study provides evidence that plant nutrition affects circadian functions, linking nutrient regulation to biological clock control.
A research team led by Walter Dodds found that microorganisms in small streams filter out nitrogen, reducing its entry into larger rivers and oceans. The study, published in Nature, suggests that preserving small streams' natural filtration process is crucial for maintaining water quality.
A recent study published in Nature has found that small streams and rivers are crucial in removing excess nitrogen pollution from watersheds before it reaches the oceans. The research, led by Arizona State University scientists, used a rare nitrogen isotope to examine the effects of nitrogen loading in streams.