Abstract
The anthropogenic nitrogen cycle is characterized by a high complexity. Different reactive nitrogen species (NH3, NH4+, NO, NO2, NO3−, and N2O) are set free by a large variety of anthropogenic activities and cause numerous negative impacts on the environment. The complex nature of the nitrogen cycle hampers public awareness of the nitrogen problem. To overcome this issue and to enhance the sensitivity for policy action, we developed a new, impact-based integrated national target for nitrogen (INTN) for Germany. It is based on six impact indicators, for which we derived the maximum amount of nitrogen losses allowed in each environmental sector to reach related state indicators on a spatial average for Germany. The resulting target sets a limit of nitrogen emissions in Germany of 1053 Gg N yr−1. It could serve as a similar means on the national level as the planetary boundary for reactive nitrogen or the 1.5 °C target of the climate community on the global level. Taking related uncertainties into account, the resulting integrated nitrogen target of 1053 Gg N yr−1 suggests a comprehensible INTN of 1000 Gg N yr−1 for Germany. Compared to the current situation, the overall annual loss of reactive nitrogen in Germany would have to be reduced by approximately one-third.
Highlights
Reactive nitrogen (Nr) is essential and beneficial for plant production
To calculate the integrated national target for nitrogen (INTN), the six most relevant impact indicators affected by excessive amounts of reactive nitrogen were chosen: (1) vegetation affected by NH3- concentration, (2) terrestrial ecosystems affected by eutrophication, (3) surface water quality and
Environmental problems related to excessive loss of reactive nitrogen in Germany are manifold
Summary
Reactive nitrogen (Nr) is essential and beneficial for plant production. Our understanding of Nr includes and focuses on total nitrogen (N), ammonia (NH3 ), ammonium (NH4 + ), nitrogen monoxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ), nitrogen oxide (NOx ), nitrate (NO3 − ), and nitrous oxide (N2 O) [1]. The anthropogenic production of mineral fertilizer through industrial ammonia fixation ensures the feeding of about 50% of the global population [2]. Through agricultural production and through combustion processes, anthropogenic reactive nitrogen unintentionally enters the environment, resulting in several severe environmental impacts [3]. The urgent need for a sustainable nitrogen management has recently been identified by several institutions at the global level [5,6,7]. Rockström et al [8] and Steffen et al [9] included a planetary boundary for anthropogenic nitrogen fixation into their concept of keeping the earth system in a safe operating space and identified the alteration of the nitrogen cycle as Sustainability 2021, 13, 1121.
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