Published on 31 Aug 2025
Studies show that humans are adding reactive nitrogen to the Earth’s land surface each year through agriculture and industry adding to nitrogen pollution.
While nitrogen makes up 78% of earth’s atmosphere, plants cannot directly use nitrogen from the air because atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) is in a stable, inert form.
Nitrogen is a key component of proteins, DNA, and chlorophyll of plants.
Farmers add nitrogen-based fertilizers (urea, ammonium nitrate) to boost plant growth since they can absorb nitrate (NO₃⁻) and ammonium (NH₄⁺) from the soil.
Livestock secretes large amounts of nitrogen in manure and urine.
This nitrogen can volatilize as ammonia (NH₃) or leach into water sources as nitrate (NO₃⁻), leading to pollution.
Clearing forests for grazing or feed production or industry disrupts natural nitrogen cycles and increases nitrogen release.
Nitrogen pollution causes water and air pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change, while also harming human health through respiratory problems and other ailments.
Nitrogen Pollution
nitrogen
N2
nitrogen-based fertilizers
urea
ammonium nitrate
Pollution
nitrogen cycle
UNEP
Air pollution
Methemoglobinemia
Stratospheric ozone layer
Eutrophication