Table of Contents
Issue
- 18 research institutions in India are among a group of 50 institutions called the South Asian Nitrogen Hub (SANH) — in the UK and South Asia to assess and study the quantum and impact of “nitrogen pollution” in South Asia.
About South Asian Nitrogen Hub (SANH)
- The South Asian Nitrogen Hub (SANH) is a major international research programme
- Funding from UKRI
- £20 million funding from the United Kingdom Government.
- The current territories of Afghanistan, Bangl adesh, Bhutan, Maldi ves, Nepal, India, Paki stan, and Sri Lanka form South Asia
Nitrogen
- a vital macronutrient for most plants,
- nitrogen fixation
- But the natural nitrogen cycle was inadequate to feed the growing population.
Nitrogen Pollution
- It is released as part of compounds from agriculture, sewage and biological waste, nitrogen is considered reactive.
- It may be polluting and even exert a potent greenhouse gas effect.
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide but isn’t as prevalent in the atmosphere
- Other than air pollution, nitrogen is also linked to the loss of biodiversity, the pollution of rivers and seas, ozone depletion, health, economy, and livelihoods.
- Nitrogen pollution is caused, for example, by emissions from chemical fertilisers, livestock manure and burning fossil fuels.
- Gases such as ammonia (NH3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) contribute to poor air quality and can aggravate respiratory and heart conditions, leading to millions of premature deaths across the world.
- Nitrate from chemical fertilisers, manure and industry pollutes the rivers and seas, posing a health risk for humans, fish, coral and plant life.
Nitrogen emission in India
- NOx emissions grew at 52% from 1991 to 2001 and 69% from 2001 to 2011 in India.
- Agriculture is the largest contributor to nitrogen emissions.
- Non-agricultural emissions of nitrogen oxides and nitrous oxide were growing rapidly, with sewage and fossil-fuel burning — for power, transport and industry — leading the trend.
Impact on the environment
- It creates of harmful algal blooms and dead zones
- Contamination of drinking water.
- Food Security
- The release of Nitrous Oxide is essentially a greenhouse gas
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