Nitrogen levels on a decline in ‘nitrogen-rich world’, plants and animals may face consequences: Study

What is the News?

According to a report, an imbalance in nitrogen availability has been reported across the globe with some places having an excess and others a shortage of the element.

What is Nitrogen?

Nitrogen is essential to life on Earth. It is a component of all proteins, and it can be found in all living systems.

According to a study, there is an imbalance in nitrogen availability across the globe with some places having an excess and others a shortage of the element.

The decline in Nitrogen Availability

Nitrogen availability has been shrinking in grasslands in central North America for a hundred years.

These declines are likely caused by multiple factors such as higher atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and warming and disturbances including wildfire.

Note: Higher atmospheric carbon dioxide fertilises plants, allowing its faster growth but in the process it dilutes the plant nitrogen, leading to a cascade of effects that lower the availability of nitrogen. 

Impact: Without nitrogen, plants grow slowly and produce smaller flowers and fruits. Their leaves turn yellowish and are less nutritious to insects, birds and animals.

Further, low nitrogen availability could also limit plants’ ability to capture CO2 from the atmosphere.

Excess Human Production of Nitrogen

According to a 2017 study, human production of nitrogen is now five times higher than it was 60 years ago.

Impact: When excessive nitrogen accumulates in the streams, inland lakes and coastal bodies of water, it could sometimes result in eutrophication, leading to harmful algal blooms, dead zones and fish kills.

In humans, high levels of nitrogen in the groundwater are linked to intestinal cancers and miscarriages and can be fatal for infants.

Source: This post is based on the article “Nitrogen levels on a decline in ‘nitrogen-rich world’, plants and animals may face consequences: Study” published in Down To Earth on 18th April 2022.