Nitrous oxide (N2O) is produced naturally by a wide variety of biological processes in soil and water and by man via his agricultural, industrial, and waste management activities. Nitrous oxide is 310 times mores effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide.
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Sources |
Emission Processes |
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Agricultural Soil Management 68% of N2O emissions |
Natural microbial processes of nitrification and denitrification produce N2O. Manmade sources include both direct and indirect. The direct emissions are due to the application of synthetic and organic fertilizers, cultivation of nitrogen-fixing crops, farming of high organic content soils, application of manure, plowing under crop residues, and excrement from animals. Indirect emissions are due to leaching and surface runoff from fertilized soils and livestock pens. |
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Fossil Fuel Combustion – Mobile Sources 16% of N2O emissions |
N2O is a product of nitrogen reacting with oxygen during combustion of fossil fuels. Mobile sources include motor vehicles. Some reduction of mobile sources is achieved with catalytic converters. |
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Fossil Fuel Combustion – Stationary Sources 4% of N2O emissions |
N2O is a product of nitrogen reacting with oxygen during combustion of fossil fuels. Stationary sources are due to the production of electricity. |
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Adipic Acid Production 4% of N2O emissions |
N2O is a by-product of adipic acid production. This acid is used for the manufacture of nylon, low-temperature lubricants and tangy food flavors. |
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Nitric Acid Production 4% of N2O emissions |
Nitric acid is used to make synthetic fertilizer, adipic acid and explosives. |
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Manure Management 3% of N2O emissions |
Microbial processes of nitrification and denitrification emit N2O. |
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Other Sources 1% of N2O emissions |
Agricultural crop residue burning, waste burning, sewage treatment, and wastewater treatment all produce nitrous oxide. |
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