Articles tagged with Nitrogen
A Princeton University study reveals that South American forests offer a glimpse into pre-industrial US ecosystems, showing complex organic compounds as the main form of nitrogen in unpolluted ecosystems. The findings suggest that high levels of inorganic nitrogen in the US are mainly due to acid rain and agricultural fertilizers.
Researchers have created a novel method to measure soil fertility using Mason jars, which can detect chemical fractions that feed corn plants. The Illinois N Test uses a combination of heating and titration to determine nitrogen content in the soil.
A new study suggests that increasing fertilizer efficiency could reduce nitrate levels in the Mississippi River by up to 33% while maintaining crop yields. The research found that a modest reduction in nitrogen fertilizer use could substantially reduce nitrate concentrations in the river.
Researchers analyzed wood samples from the King Midas tomb, finding that a soft-rot fungus was fueled by nitrogen from the king's body and meat-based food sources. The study may provide insights into preserving historical sites from fungal degradation.
Researchers have found that certain types of iron are naturally good at fixing nitrogen from the air, a process essential for life on Earth. This discovery could lead to more efficient and eco-friendly fertilizers, reducing the industry's environmental impact.
A new study reveals that salmon populations are mutually dependent on riparian vegetation, which provides shade and large woody debris that support successful spawning. The researchers found a significant increase in nitrogen levels in plants near spawning sites, suggesting a two-way relationship between salmon and their ecosystems.
A new food packaging technique using argon gas has been shown to extend the shelf life of foods by 25% and improve their overall quality, with some products seeing a 40-50% improvement. Argon replaces nitrogen, which causes food to oxidize and spoil, making it a safe and effective way to preserve food.
Scientists have found a new source of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii, which could contribute significantly to ocean nitrogen fixation. The newly discovered bacteria are active at greater depths and longer time periods than known marine cyanobacteria, with potential implications for global warming.
Researchers find nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria in Pacific Ocean water samples near Hawaii, contributing significantly to ocean nitrogen fixation. The newly discovered bacteria are more abundant and active than previously thought, with potential implications for global warming.
A team from Michigan State University has found a new source of nitrogen fixation in spirochetes, corkscrew-shaped bacteria abundant in termite guts. This discovery opens up new possibilities for nitrogen availability and highlights the importance of microbes in animal nutrition and health.
Studies found that up to 70% of stream respiration and 10-50% of nitrate uptake occur in hyporheic zones, which retain more nitrogen. This process may be a crucial player in global nitrogen dynamics.
A USGS study shows that larger streams and rivers in the Midwest and Ohio Valley states deliver more nitrogen to the Gulf of Mexico than smaller streams, contradicting previous assumptions. Nitrogen pollution is naturally removed from water in small streams through denitrification, a process that significantly affects its delivery to t...
Researchers investigate plant microbiome interactions to optimize nitrogen uptake, reducing fertilizer needs. Janine Sherrier's presentation at UD explores symbiotic relationships between legumes and soil bacteria.
NASA scientists find that jet aircraft add a few tens of parts per trillion of nitrogen oxides to the atmosphere, increasing ozone levels. However, the impact is too small to detect, but as air traffic increases, understanding these effects becomes crucial for global climate research.
A new material featuring 'buckyball shards' has shown promise for chemical separations, suggesting a cheaper method for generating enriched oxygen and nitrogen. The material could be useful for the biotechnology industry to concentrate proteins in watery broths.
Adding nitrogen to gallium indium arsenide decreases its band gap dramatically, a significant finding for advanced solar cells. The discovery explains why the material has been disappointing in solar cells so far.
A study by Purdue University estimates that farmers can cut excess nitrogen flow by 20-25% using various methods, such as improved fertilizer management and wetland reconstruction. This reduction is crucial to eliminate the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico, which affects marine life and water quality.
A new study by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency reveals that diesel cars emit significantly more nitrogen oxides, particulates, and carcinogenic substances than petrol-driven cars. This trend is counterproductive to achieving environmental goals for cleaner air and reduced acidification and eutrophication.
Researchers found a direct correlation between high nitrate levels and nitrogen-rich bedrock in California's Sierra Nevada mountain range. Nitrogen-rich rocks released into the environment can cause massive algae blooms and affect human health.
Researchers found a link between rainfall and nitrate leaching, with increased rainfall leading to higher nitrate levels in tile flow. The study recommends applying nitrogen fertilizer in the spring to prevent excessive nitrate loss.
A Penn State poultry nutritionist is developing strategies to balance chicken diets and minimize manure production, reducing nitrogen and phosphorus waste. The approach involves adjusting feed formulation, using better feed additives, and tailoring feeds to the life cycle of birds.
The UW smogmobile generates no emissions and can actually remove pollutants from the air as its fuel is produced. Its efficiency is currently around 20% due to a less-than-ideal motor design, but further development aims to increase range to match gas-powered vehicles.
A new study suggests that current methods for measuring nitrogen uptake in oceans are too low, resulting in an estimated 30% underestimation. The finding indicates that newly produced nitrogen may remain suspended as dissolved organic nitrogen, rather than sinking to the ocean floor.
A recent study found that high levels of nitrogen deposition in grasslands lead to the loss of plant species diversity and the disruption of ecosystem functioning. Native prairie species are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of excessive nitrogen addition, which can cause their extinction and reduce carbon storage.
Scientists find that excessive nitrogen deposition in grasslands leads to loss of diversity, extinction of native species, and decreased carbon storage. The study, funded by the National Science Foundation, suggests that nitrogen pollution is a major threat to ecosystem functioning.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have discovered a novel group of compounds without nitrogen that recognize the same molecular targets as common drugs, including Prozac and Ritalin. These experimental compounds appear to be as powerful as their traditional counterparts.
Researchers found that seed corn growers in Illinois using irrigated sandy soils can increase profits by cutting back on nitrogen fertilizer use. Excessive nitrogen application leads to organic nitrogen accumulation in soil microorganisms, hindering crop growth.
Human activities have significantly altered global nitrogen cycling patterns, leading to massive changes in the past 50 years. The primary sources of nitrogen pollution are agricultural and atmospheric deposition, which dominate river and estuary inputs.