Nitrogen Deposition Effects of Ammonia

1. Nitrogen Deposition Effects of Ammonia Ammonia Workshop National Atmospheric Deposition Program October 22-24, 2003 Washington, DC USA

2. Contrasting NOx and NH3 • Historical focus on NOx • Growing focus on NH3 • Similarities • Both have point and mobile sources • Both, once emitted can be converted to any other N species • Both contribute to all the N-related impacts.

3. Reactive N vs Unreactive N2 • Unreactive N is N2 (78% of earth’s atmosphere) • Reactive N (Nr) includes all biologically, chemically and physically active N compounds in the atmosphere and biosphere of the Earth • N controls productivity of most natural ecosystems

4. Reactive N vs Unreactive N2 • Unreactive N is N2 (78% of earth’s atmosphere) • Reactive N (Nr) includes all biologically, chemically and physically active N compounds in the atmosphere and biosphere of the Earth • N controls productivity of most natural ecosystems • Nature converts N2 to Nr by biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). • Humans convert N2 to Nr by fossil fuel combustion, the Haber Bosch process, and cultivation-induced BNF.

5. Reactive N vs Unreactive N2 • Unreactive N is N2 (78% of earth’s atmosphere) • Reactive N (Nr) includes all biologically, chemically and physically active N compounds in the atmosphere and biosphere of the Earth • N controls productivity of most natural ecosystems • Nature converts N2 to Nr by biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) • Humans convert N2 to Nr by fossil fuel combustion, the Haber Bosch process, and cultivation-induced BNF. • Primary Conclusions • Humans create more Nr than do natural terrestrial processes. • Nr is accumulating in the environment. • Nr accumulation contributes to most environment issues of the day. • NHx and its conversion products are key components.

6. Objectives • Contrasting NOx and NH3 • Human Alteration of N Cycle • An agrarian to an industrializing world • The Consequences of Anthropogenic Nitrogen (including NH3). • Nitrogen is nutritious • Nitrogen cascades • Challenges!

7. The History of Nitrogen --N becomes limiting?-- BNF N-Nutrient N-Discovered Galloway JN and Cowling EB. 2002; Galloway et al., 2003a

8. The History of Nitrogen --N becomes limiting?-- World is running out of N* BNF N-Nutrient N-Discovered *1898, Sir William Crookes, president of the British Association for the Advancement of Science Galloway JN and Cowling EB. 2002; Galloway et al., 2003a

9. Fritz Haber (1868-1934) • Began work on NH3, 1904 • First patent, 1908 • Commercial-scale test, 1909 • Developed Cl2 gas production, 1914 • Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 1918 • -”for the synthesis of ammonia from its elements” • Carl Bosch (1874-1940) • The perfect catalyst, 1910 • Large-scale production, 1913 • Ammonia to nitrate, 1914 • Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 1931 • -”chemical high pressure methods” Smil, 2001

10. The History of Nitrogen --Nr Creation, Haber Bosch process-- N2 + 3H2 --> 2NH3 BNF N-Nutrient N-Discovered Galloway JN and Cowling EB. 2002; Galloway et al., 2003a

11. The History of Nitrogen --Nr Creation: Fossil Fuel Combustion-- N2 + 3H2 --> 2NH3 BNF N-Nutrient N-Discovered Galloway JN and Cowling EB. 2002; Galloway et al., 2003a

12. The History of Nitrogen --Nr Creation, People and Nature-- * N2 + 3H2 --> 2NH3 { Natural Range, terrestrial BNF N-Nutrient N-Discovered * Galloway JN and Cowling EB. 2002; Galloway et al., 2003a

13. Nitrogen Drivers in 1860 Grain Production Meat Production Energy Production

14. The Global Nitrogen Budget in 1860 and mid-1990s, TgN/yr 5 N2 6 NOy NHx 9 8 6 1860 120 8 7 11 15 6 0.3 27 Galloway et al., 2003b

15. Nitrogen Drivers in 1860 & 1995 Grain Production Meat Production Energy Production

16. N2 + 3H2 2NH3 The Global Nitrogen Budget in 1860 and mid-1990s, TgN/yr 5 N2 6 NOy NHx 9 8 6 1860 120 8 7 11 15 6 0.3 27 5 6 N2 NOy NHx mid-1990s 26 33 23 16 18 110 21 25 39 100 25 48 Galloway et al., 2003b

17. Nitrogen DepositionPast and Presentmg N/m2/yr 5000 2000 1000 750 500 250 100 50 25 5 1993 1860 Galloway et al., 2003b

18. Nr and Agricultural Ecosystems • Haber-Bosch has facilitated agricultural intensification • 40% of world’s population is alive because of it • An additional 3 billion people by 2050 will be sustained by it • Most N that enters agroecosystems is released to the environment.

19. Nr and the Atmosphere • NOx emissions contribute to OH, which defines the oxidizing capacity of the atmosphere • NOx emissions are responsible for tens of thousands of excess-deaths per year in the United States • O3 and N2O contribute to atmospheric warming • N2O emissions contribute to stratospheric O3 depletion

20. Nr and Terrestrial Ecosystems • N is the limiting nutrient in most temperate and polar ecosystems • Nr deposition increases and then decreases forest and grassland productivity • Nr additions probably decrease biodiversity across the entire range of deposition

21. Nr and Freshwater Ecosystems • Surface water acidification • Tens of thousands of lakes and streams • Biodiversity losses • As reductions in SO2 emissions continue, Nr deposition becomes more important.

22. Nr and Coastal Ecosystems • Increased algal productivity • Shifts in community structure • Harmful algal blooms • Degradation of seagrass and algal beds • Formation of nuisance algal mats • Coral reef destruction • Increased oxygen demand and hypoxia • Increased nitrous oxide (greenhouse gas) Sybil Seitzinger, 2003

23. There are significant effects of Nr accumulation within each reservoir These effects are linked temporally and biogeochemically in the Nitrogen Cascade

24. Atmosphere Terrestrial Ecosystems Food Production NHx Agroecosystem Effects Crop Animal People (Food; Fiber) Soil Norg Human Activities The Nitrogen Cascade Aquatic Ecosystems Galloway et al., 2003a

25. Atmosphere PM & Visibility Effects Terrestrial Ecosystems NH3 Food Production NHx Agroecosystem Effects Forests & Grassland Crop Animal People (Food; Fiber) Soil Soil Norg Groundwater Effects Human Activities The Nitrogen Cascade Surface water Effects Ocean Effects Coastal Effects Aquatic Ecosystems Galloway et al., 2003a

26. Atmosphere PM & Visibility Effects Terrestrial Ecosystems NH3 Food Production NHx Agroecosystem Effects Forests & Grassland Crop Animal People (Food; Fiber) Soil Soil Norg NO3 Groundwater Effects Human Activities The Nitrogen Cascade Surface water Effects Ocean Effects Coastal Effects Aquatic Ecosystems Galloway et al., 2003a

27. Atmosphere PM & Visibility Effects Ozone Effects NOx Energy Production Terrestrial Ecosystems NOx NH3 Food Production NHx Agroecosystem Effects Forests & Grassland Crop Animal People (Food; Fiber) Soil Soil Norg NO3 Groundwater Effects Human Activities The Nitrogen Cascade Surface water Effects Ocean Effects Coastal Effects Aquatic Ecosystems Galloway et al., 2003a

28. Atmosphere PM & Visibility Effects Ozone Effects NOx Energy Production Terrestrial Ecosystems NOx NH3 Food Production NHx Agroecosystem Effects Forests & Grassland Crop Animal People (Food; Fiber) Soil Soil Norg NO3 Groundwater Effects Human Activities The Nitrogen Cascade Surface water Effects Ocean Effects Coastal Effects Aquatic Ecosystems --Indicates denitrification potential

29. Atmosphere Stratospheric Effects PM & Visibility Effects Ozone Effects NOx GH Effects Energy Production N2O Terrestrial Ecosystems NOx NH3 Food Production NHx Agroecosystem Effects Forests & Grassland Crop Animal People (Food; Fiber) Soil Soil Norg NO3 N2O Groundwater Effects Human Activities The Nitrogen Cascade Surface water Effects Ocean Effects Coastal Effects Aquatic Ecosystems --Indicates denitrification potential

30. Hog Production in USA(1 dot= 10,000 Hogs and Pigs)

31. Meat Consumption in North America(kg/capita/year) Hogs and Pigs

32. Conclusions • NH3 contributes to every N-related issue • Directly or indirectly • Nr and NHx are accumulating in environmental reservoirs • The impacts of N accumulation are significant and inter-related • NH3 emissions will increase with time • There is need for an integrated approach to manage N!

33. Meat Consumption in North America(kg/capita/year) Layers & Pullets (60,000/dot)

35. Nr Creation Rates by Food and Energy Production in 2050 2050 today

36. Nr Creation Rates1995 (left) and 2050 (right)TgN/yr 2050 rates scaled by: -> population increase relative to 1995 after Galloway and Cowling, 2002

37. Nr Creation Rates1995 (left) and 2050 (right)TgN/yr 2050 rates scaled by: -> population increase relative to 1995 -> N. Amer. per capita Nr creation in 1995 after Galloway and Cowling, 2002

38. The Fate of Haber-Bosch Nitrogen N Fertilizer Produced 100 Galloway JN and Cowling EB. 2002

39. The Fate of Haber-Bosch Nitrogen N Consumed N Fertilizer Produced 14 100 14% of the N produced in the Haber-Bosch process enters the human mouth………. Galloway JN and Cowling EB. 2002

40. The Fate of Haber-Bosch Nitrogen N Consumed N Fertilizer Produced N Fertilizer Consumed N in Crop N Harvested N in Food 14 100 31 26 94 47 -12 -47 -6 -16 -5 14% of the N produced in the Haber-Bosch process enters the human mouth……….if you are a vegetarian. Galloway JN and Cowling EB. 2002

41. The Fate of Haber-Bosch Nitrogen N Consumed N Fertilizer Produced N Fertilizer Applied N in Crop N In Feed N in Store 100 31 94 7 47 4 -3 -47 -6 -16 -24 4% of the N produced in the Haber-Bosch process and used for animal production enters the human mouth. Galloway JN and Cowling EB. 2002

42. Nr Riverine Fluxes1860 (left) and 1990 (right)TgN/yr -> all regions increase riverine fluxes -> Asia becomes dominant Galloway et al, 2003b; Boyer et al., in preparation

43. Nr Formation vs. Nr Conversion back to N2 160 Tg N/yr N2 Nr

44. Nr Formation vs. Nr Conversion back to N2 160 Tg N/yr N2 Nr ?? • Is anthropogenic Nr accumulating in environmental systems? • If so, where relative to point of introduction? • If so, on what time scale?

45. Nr Formation vs. Nr Conversion back to N2 160 Tg N/yr N2 Nr < 160 Tg N/yr • Is anthropogenic Nr accumulating in environmental systems? • If so, where relative to point of introduction? • If so, on what time scale? • Nr is accumulating in the atmosphere. • Nr is accumulating in terrestrial systems. • Once Nr enters water (streams, rivers, estuaries) most will • eventually denitrify but generally far from point of entry. • Accumulation occurs on short- and long-time scales.

46. International Nitrogen Initiative • Formed in December 2002; SCOPE & IGBP sponsors • Objective optimize nitrogen’s beneficial role in sustainable food production and minimize nitrogen’s negative effects on human health and the environment resulting from food and energy production. • Preliminary assessment in December 2004.

47. International Nitrogen Initiative Approach • establish Regional Centers for North America, Latin America, Asia, Oceania, Europe and Africa • use a three-phased approach, designed around the program objectives, to work towards the overall goal of the INI • Phase I: Assessment of knowledge on N flows and problems • Phase II: Development of region-specific solutions. • Phase III: Implementation of scientific, engineering and policy tools to solve problems. • activities for a given Center will depend upon the ‘maturity’ of nitrogen science and policy for that region.

48. The Components of INI cities fertilizers politics acid rain rivers estuaries forest productivity troposphere Africa emissions North America methemoglinemia ocean CAFOs stratospheric ozone decomposition policy Imports/exports legumes Europe fossil fuel combustion forests manure human health economics deposition eutrophication wetlands assimilation nitrogen fixation haze Asia agroecosystems stratosphere grasslands Latin America food production denitrification smog nitrification freshwaters Oceania Biodiversity losses

49. The Components of INI cities fertilizers politics acid rain rivers estuaries forest productivity troposphere Africa emissions North America methemoglinemia ocean CAFOs stratospheric ozone decomposition policy Imports/exports legumes Europe fossil fuel combustion forests manure human health economics deposition eutrophication wetlands assimilation nitrogen fixation haze Asia agroecosystems stratosphere grasslands Latin America food production denitrification smog nitrification freshwaters Oceania Biodiversity losses

50. Phase I: Assessment of Science andIdentification of Problems The N Biogeochemical Cycle Systems stratosphere troposphere cities forests grasslands agroecosystems wetlands freshwaters estuaries ocean