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Title:
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The Dutch nitrogen cascade in the European perspective
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Author(s):
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Domburg, P.; Erisman, J.W.; Haan, B. de; Kros, J.; Vries, W. de; Velthof, G.; Sanders, K.
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Published by:
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Publication date:
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ECN
Biomass, Coal and Environmental Research
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1-1-2005
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ECN report number:
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Document type:
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ECN-C--05-007
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ECN publication
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Number of pages:
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Full text:
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109
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Download PDF
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Abstract:
The Netherlands
is ?well known? for its nitrogen problems; it has one of the highest
reactive nitrogen (Nr) emission densities in the world. It
is a small country at the delta of several large European rivers. Ever
since the industrial revolution, there has been a growing excess of
nutrients and related emissions into the atmosphere (ammonia, nitrogen
oxides and nitrous oxide) and into groundwater and surface water (nitrate),
leading to a large range of cascading environmental impacts. Vehicular
traffic, sewage and animal husbandry are the main sources of oxidized
and reduced forms of Nr. This report provides an overview
of the origin and fate of nitrogen in the Netherlands, the various reported
impacts of nitrogen and the Dutch and European policies to reduce nitrogen
emissions and related impacts. In addition, ways are presented to go
forward to potentially solve the problems in a European perspective.
Solutions include the improvement of nitrogen efficiencies in different
systems, technological options and education.
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