Finalist for the 2021 PROSE Award for Environmental Science!
An integrated approach to understanding and mitigating the problem of excess nitrogen
Human activities generate large amounts of excess nitrogen, which has dramatically altered the nitrogen cycle. Reactive forms of nitrogen, especially nitrate and ammonia, are particularly detrimental. Given the magnitude of the problem, there is an urgent need for information on reactive nitrogen and its effective management.
Nitrogen Overload: Environmental Degradation, Ramifications, and Economic Costs presents an integrated, multidisciplinary review of alterations to the nitrogen cycle over the past century and the wide-ranging consequences of nitrogen-based pollution, especially to aquatic ecosystems and human health.
Volume highlights include:
- Comprehensive background information on the nitrogen cycle
- Detailed description of anthropogenic nitrogen sources
- Review of the environmental, economic, and health impacts of nitrogen pollution
- Recommendations and strategies for reducing humanity's nitrogen footprint
- Discussion of national nitrogen footprints and worldwide examples of mitigation policies
The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals.
Table of Contents
Preface ix
Acknowledgments xi
1. Introduction 1
2. The Nitrogen Cycle 15
3. Sources of Reactive Nitrogen and Transport Processes 29
4. Methods to Identify Sources of Reactive Nitrogen Contamination 49
5. Adverse Human Health Effects of Reactive Nitrogen 71
6. Terrestrial Biodiversity and Surface Water Impacts from Reactive Nitrogen 91
7. Groundwater Contamination from Reactive Nitrogen 119
8. Nitrate Contamination in Springs 155
9. Co‐occurrence of Nitrate with Other Contaminants in the Environment 175
10. Economic Costs and Consequences of Excess Reactive Nitrogen 197
11. Strategies for Reducing Excess Reactive Nitrogen to the Environment 221
Index 243
