How Nitrous Oxide And Climate Change Pose A Threat To Earth! — About The Globe
Nitrous oxide and climate change pose a great threat to the earth along with other harmful gases. Nitrous oxide is a significant greenhouse gas that is undoubtedly less than carbon dioxide in the atmosphere but is 300 times more harmful than carbon dioxide.
In this article, learn about the relation between nitrous oxide and climate change and how to control its emissions.
What is Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide is a colorless, non-flammable gas with a chemical formula of N 2 O. It is a chemical compound of oxides of nitrogen. It is widely used in dentistry and medical purposes as an anesthetic as it is very effective in pain-relieving. It is also employed in the engines of automobiles.
It causes the body to become numb and sedated when consumed.
Nitrous oxide is also well-known for its global warming potential which causes climate change.
Nitrous Oxide Sources:
Nitrous oxide is emitted as a result of natural and anthropogenic processes. It is part of the natural nitrogen cycle. Natural sources include oceans, soils, the atmosphere, and microbial processes. It can also be formed by the reaction between other environmental pollutants.
Some other sources of nitrous oxide emissions are the combustion of fossil fuels, chemical industrial processes like nitric acid production.
Oceans account for 25% of global nitrous oxide emissions. When dead zones (oxygen-depleted zones) are formed in oceans due to the decomposition of dead matter near the ocean floor, these dead zones release nitrous oxide in the atmosphere by the process of upwelling. Upwelling is a process due to which cool, dense and nutrient-rich water rises to the ocean floor hence, forming nitrous oxide upon reaching the surface of the ocean.
Agriculture accounts for an estimated one-third of total nitrous oxide emissions. The use of nitrogen-based fertilizers and livestock raising significantly contribute to the emissions of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere. Livestock especially cows release nitrous oxide directly from their manure. Fertilizers combine with soil and due to microbial activity in the soil, nitrous oxide is produced.
Nitrous Oxide and Climate Change:
Nitrous oxide and climate change are directly associated with each other. Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas which means it traps the sun’s radiation along with other gases and creates a warming effect hence, causing climate change.
Although nitrous oxide is less in the atmosphere, it is immensely harmful and has a very long life span of approximately 115 years. It is even more detrimental than carbon dioxide. Moreover, nitrous oxide is also classified as a significant ozone-depletion gas.
Usually, nitrous oxide is eliminated in the upper atmosphere but increasing emissions have overcome the rate of destruction hence, causing an imbalance in the atmosphere. While nitrogen is a natural part of the nitrogen cycle, higher emissions of nitrous oxide are leading to climate change thus, linking nitrous oxide and climate change.
Every year, an estimated 100 million tonnes of nitrogen is sprayed on crops in the form of fertilizers which results in the production of nitrous oxide when nitrogen reacts with air. Over the past 3 decades, anthropogenic nitrous oxide emissions have increased by 30%.
Nitrous oxide is increasing with every passing day. With the increasing population, agriculture activities, and livestock raising are simultaneously rising thus, leading to nitrous oxide production.
Solutions to Control it:
- Reduce the use of fertilizers and use modern technology to use fertilizers only where they are required.
- Use nitrification controllers to curb the amount of nitrous oxide generated from microbial processes.
- Modifying agricultural activities by using methods such as carbon farming and agroforestry. This will reduce the necessity of synthetic fertilizers and promote a natural ecosystem in which plants will be able to obtain necessary nutrients from the soil.
- Farmers must consider nutrient run-off when using fertilizers and efficiently use fertilizers.
- Stop wasting food to decrease livestock raising and eat less beef to control the growth of cows.
- Use sustainable methods while practicing agricultural processes and work on population control to sustainably produce food for people.
- Launching variable policies on fertilizers use and livestock raising to restrict the use of fertilizers and livestock raising to a certain limit.
- Industries related to nitrous oxide production should monitor and control their emissions by taking effective measures.
- No-till farming and other methods to reduce the reliance on fertilizers can also prevent the emission of nitrous oxide.
- Just like other greenhouse gases, nitrous oxide and climate change can’t be ignored. Nitrous oxide emissions must be controlled to tackle climate change.
Originally published at https://abouttheglobe.net on October 19, 2021.