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ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS CAUSED BY NITROGEN FERTILIZERS AND NITROGEN AIR POLLUTANT 11~Nitrogen fertilizers are made from ammonia (NH3). The ammonia is produced by the Haber-Bosch process.

Nitrogen fertilizerNitrogen from the air Hydrogen from the natural gas N2 and H2 with ratio 1:3400-450C200 atmIron as catalyst Liquid ammonia Gases are cooled and ammonia turns to liquid Unreacted gases recycled

~Both ammonium nitrate and urea can be further concentrated and converted into a solid form.Equation: 3H2(g) + N2(g) 2NH3(g)~This ammonia is used as a feedstock (raw material) for all other nitrogen fertilizers, such as anhydrous ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and urea (CO(NH2)2).2Nitrogen fertilizer is an essential nutrient for plant growth. The discovery a century ago of an industrial process that converted nitrogen in the air to ammonia made the manufacture of nitrogen fertilizers. But, Councilwomen Smith state that nitrogen-based fertilizers cause other environmental problems. 3

block vital sunlightreduce levels of dissolved oxygen in the waterKills fish directly

4Water Contamination

~Nitrogen soaks deeply into the soil after a rainstorm or after irrigation, reaching ground water and nearby wells. This caused nitrate contamination in groundwater.~When babies or elderly people ingest water with high nitrogen levels, they can develop symptoms such as gastrointestinal swelling and irritation, diarrhea, and protein digestion problems. These symptoms result "blue baby syndrome" which occurs when nitrates mix with iron in red blood cells, leaving the blood unable to transport oxygen to the body's cells.

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AIR -78.09% of nitrogen-20.95% of oxygen-0.93% of argon-0.039% of carbon dioxide-small amounts of other gases

Natural process of nitrogen :6Nowadays, the global nitrogen cycle has been profoundly altered by human activity over the past century. The amount of usable or reactive nitrogen produced by humans is now greater than the amount created through natural process. This caused in increasing nitrogen emissions to the air. Notably those of nitrous oxide (N2O) which are contributing to climate change.

Nitrous oxide is a powerful greenhouse gas that causes stratospheric ozone layer depletion. Sometimes referred to as forgotten greenhouse gas it is over 300 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. 7Nitrous oxide is naturally present in relatively small quantities in the atmosphere as part of the nitrogen cycle. However, human activities such as deforestation, industrial processes are increasing the amount of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere.

More than 2/3 of atmospheric emissions of nitrous oxide arise from processes in soils, largely resulting from application of nitrogen fertilizer. Nowadays, some countries are experiencing intense air pollution such as green house effect and acid rain, due to nitrogen emissions that caused excess of nitrous oxide. 8

9Besides that, another air pollution cause by nitrogen is amount of nitrogen dioxide increase over century.

Nitrogen dioxide

Formed naturally in the atmosphere by lightning and some is produced by plants, soil and water. However, only about 1% of the total amount of nitrogen dioxide found in our cities' air is formed this way.Nitrogen dioxide is an important air pollutant because it contributes to the formation of photochemical smog, which can have significant impacts on human health.The major source of nitrogen dioxide is the burning of fossil fuels: coal, oil and gas. Most of the nitrogen dioxide in cities comes from motor vehicle exhaust (about 80%).

Nitrogen dioxide caused air pollution

The main effect of breathing in raised levels of nitrogen dioxide is the increased likelihood of respiratory problems. Nitrogen dioxide inflames the lining of the lungs, and it can reduce immunity to lung infections. This can cause problems such as wheezing, coughing, colds, flu and bronchitis.Increased levels of nitrogen dioxide can have significant impacts on people with asthma because it can cause more frequent and more intense attacks. Children with asthma and older people with heart disease are most at risk.

10Ways to overcome?11