Nitrous Oxide Fact Sheet
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an atmospheric gas commonly known as laughing gas. Though less abundant than carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, it is 300 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in trapping heat. It also lingers in the atmosphere longer than CO2.
In addition to its heat-trapping properities, scientists recently declared N2O the world’s greatest source of atmospheric ozone.
Nitrous oxide is one of the primary greenhouse gases produced by agricultural activity. It is produced when bacteria process nitrogen in the environment resulting from the application of nitrogen-based fertilizers, the application of livestock manure to fields and the burning of biofuels.
Because of its heat-trapping properties, this little-known gas is starting to get more attention.
- Earlier this year, scientists with the International Council for Science (ICSU) reported that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) had undercalculated N2O emissions and that there is more N2O in the atmosphere than previously believed. The Council cautioned that increasing corn production for biofuels spells trouble for global N2O levels, in part because corn’s shallow root system makes it an especially “nitrogen-leaky” plant. The Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE) Biofuels Project has also issued a report, which was reported on by the Economist.
- In August 2009, nitrous oxide was found to be a new culprit in destroying Earth’s protective ozone layer. Researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that the Montreal Protocol – a 1987 agreement to limit emissions of ozone-depleting chemicals – had successfully reduced chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the atmosphere. But, in an unexpected twist, NOAA found N2O’s impact on ozone levels had increased in response, because chlorofluorocarbons inhibit the ozone-destroying actions of nitrous oxide (click here for more information from NOAA). The New York Times covered the story.
- In California, UC Davis researchers launched a California Nitrogen Assessment to take the N2O pulse of the state. The goal is to learn more about how much nitrogen fertilizer is being used and where runoff is escaping, and to share nitrogen use efficiency practices with farmers.