Reactive Nitrogen: Alarming Note for New Fossil Fuel and Fertilizer Policies

Abstract

Dear ReadersThe present issue of the Current World Environment is presented before you. I thank the authors, reviewers and the journal secretariat for timely publishing the issue. This issue includes research papers from diversified subareas of environment as given in the table of content. This time we have included `Editorial Contributions' from our Editorial Board members. The theme of the Editorial of this issue is Reactive Nitrogen as detailed below-The food and energy demand of the global population has resulted in the rapid increase in the levels of reactive nitrogen species (Nr) such as NH 3 , NOx, NO 3 and NH 4 + etc. in the atmosphere across the globe. These compounds affect air quality, human health, climate, ozone levels, etc. NO 2 at high levels may be responsible for almost 2 million deaths per year due its indoor pollution effect. 1 NO 2 forms smog with excessive O 3 and organic compounds such as aldehydes, ketones and peroxyacyl nitrate (PAN) etc. The excess concentrations of the nitrogenous compounds have adverse impacts on water bodies causing eutrofication problem. Nr species are contributed by both natural as well as anthropogenic activities. Apart from natural sources, anthropogenic sources such as fertilizer production, fertilizer application, fossil fuel combustion and sanitation etc. are the major contributors of the Nr species. A comprehensive Nitrogen Assessment for India has been published by Abrol and co-workers. 2 Recent research highlights that the anthropogenic N fixation from biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), fertilizers and combustion is estimated as 220 Mt per year against 65 Mt as the natural N fixation from BNF and lightning. 3 This indicates that the extent of human perturbation in N cycle. 4 After north America and Europe, Asian region has the third highest N deposition rates. 5 The global anthropogenic Nr budgets have been