Know More About Nitrogen Acidification

Nitrogen affects nature in many ways. Deposited nitrogen is responsible for nitrogen acidification. It acidifies soil and drainage water. Nitrogen, in the form of nitrogen oxides and ammonia, contributes to acidification and eutrophication of many ecosystems on land and soil.

Let us discuss the main causes of nitrogen acidification. Nitrogen acidification is caused because of the nitrogen oxides. These are produced as a result of the combustion. The emissions of nitrogen oxides come from transport sector and combustion of plants as observed in various places.

Another form of nitrogen which results in acidification is ammonia. The main source of the emissions of ammonia is agriculture. The way in which the manure is handled during storage and spreading is responsible for the amount of ammonia that evaporates.

The harvesting of bio-mass is another factor that leads to nitrogen acidification.

When the deposited nitrogen acidifies the soil, it brings about changes in the chemistry of the soil. Thus, the amount of the other nutrients is also altered. The conversion of organic nitrogen to ammonium consumes protons (H+), but the conversion of ammonium (NH4) to nitrate (NO3) involves the release of protons. This promotes acidity.

In natural, undisturbed ecosystems, proton production and consumption are almost balanced. Therefore, the nitrogen cycle does not lead to acidification.

However, when the conversion of nitrogen to nitrate on deposition of ammonium from air or added as fertilizer, it results in acidification. Deposition of ammonium is one of the main causes of soil and water acidification in the United Kingdom.

Nitrate is taken up as fast as it is produced by plants and microorganisms. The concentration of nitrate is usually low in soil and water. If the supply of nitrate is more than required, then the surplus is leached into drainage water as it is very mobile.

This increases the nitrate content in the drainage water. This is a sign of nitrogen saturation of the soil or plant system. In the last decade, many reports show such increases. For example, a survey of Norwegian lakes in 1990 showed that instead of the decrease in the sulphate concentration, nitrate increased over the previous decade.

Nitrate being an anion carries a cation with it such as calcium or magnesium. In case, the cation is not replaced by another basic cation, then the result of nitrate leaching is net acidification. Excessive deposition of nitrogen results in soil acidification and nitrogen leaching. Ammonia is the most important cause of nitrogen acidification.

Nitrogen acidification reduces the fertility of the soil. During acidification, some metals are also released which harm the micro organisms present in the soil. These can also harm the animals and the birds and even human beings. To lessen the effects of nitrogen acidification, strong measures must be taken. Otherwise, it will lead to irreparable loss to the environment.