There tends to be so much focus on how carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH4) contribute to greenhouse gases, but nitrogen oxides are approximated to be about 300 times more potent than CO₂ in terms of their impact on climate alteration.

SOURCES OF NITROGEN OXIDE CONTAMINATION

Nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) are a primary component of air pollution—a leading cause of premature death in humans and biodiversity declines worldwide. These gases are among the most important components of air pollution and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), nitrogen oxides are responsible for one in eight premature deaths worldwide.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is classified an extremely hazarduous substance, subject to strict reporting requirements by facilities which produce, store, or use it in significant quantities. The most prominent sources of NO₂ contamination come from :

•  internal combustion engines

• cigarette smoke, butane and kerosene heaters

• heavily fertilised agricultural soils

• Agricultral workers exposed to NO₂ rising from grain decomposing in silos

Small day-to-day variations in NO2 can cause alterations in lung function. Chronic exposure to NO2 can bring about respiratory effects including airway inflammation in healthy people and increased respiratory symptoms in people with asthma. 

NO2 occupational exposures constitute the highest risk of toxicity and it is often high for ;

• farmers, especially those dealing with food grain

• firefighters and military personnel, especially those officers that deal in explosives. 

• high for arc welders

• traffic officers

• aerospace staff

• miners and

• individuals with occupations connected with nitric acid.

I. ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

Ruminants are poor N converters, because only about 5 – 30% of ingested N is taken up by the animal and the remaining 70 – 95% is excreted via feces and urine. As a result, the N loads in animal excreta, often exceed plant demands and are vulnerable to losses via gaseous emissions and leaching.

 Air pollutiion in this sector of agriculture, comes from N volatilization into ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from manure. The recycling of nitrogen through manure has created a substantial impact on the environment, given the large increase in manure production since the preindustrial era ( ~ 120 Tg N yr-1 ). Agricultural reactive nitrogen emissions, primarily of ammonia (NH3), make up the largest fraction of emitted reactive nitrogen emissions to the atmosphere. Reactive nitrogen emissions from manure and synthetic fertiliser contribute significantly to air quality degradation:  the emissions of NOx result in substantial ozone production and the emissions of ammonia impact atmospheric PM10 and PM2.5 . Agricultural emissions of ammonia are the largest source category for PM2.5  over large portions of the globe. Nitrogen deposition stemming from manure and synthetic fertilizer applications exert a substantial lever on the atmospheric carbon cycle through its impact on plant growth.

Studies have revealed, that the efficiency in the use of N by lactating cows varies between 8.96 and 27.82% in Colombia, which according to the number of animals per unit area can generate the substantial emissions of up to 374 kg of N ha−1 year−1  from manure.

II. FARMING SOILS & GRAIN STORAGE

Whereas agriculture is an important source of NOx , strategies to reduce nonpoint emissions will need to incorporate soil management remedies fundamentally different from fossil fuel sources.

In the state of California for example, it has been found that fertilized croplands account for 20 to 32 % of total NOx-N emissions from all sectors of the state, whereas natural soils account for 5 to 9%. Spatial hot spots for high soil NOx emissions is identified for southern reaches of the state, where a hot spot for emissions is identified in areas where the climate is relatively hot and arid. With the growing trend of rising temperatures around the globe, this climate-impacted rise in NOx emissions is expected to impact regions as far north as the nordic nations, where temperatures are reaching unprecedented high levels in the summer.

It is estimated that fertiliser-based agricultural soils are responsible approximately 30% of global NOx sources. In contrast to the high efflux from fertilised agricultural soils (~ 19.8 kg of N ha−1 year−1 ), NOx emissions from natural ecosystems are much lower ( ~1.0 kg of N ha−1 year−1 ). Where mineral fertilisers are exclusively implemented for example, applying different forms of fertiliser (for example, slow-release fertilizers) or lowering N applications and using precision agriculture to target developmental stages,  such approaches indicate a decline in N fertiliser losses from cropland soil. In scenarios wherein organic amendments have been applied, separating the application timing of mineral Nitrogen and organic fertiliser,  NOx  emissions have been observed to reduce. 

This observation points to the critical role of nitrogen inputs in fertilizer, in enhancing the emission rate of NOx from soil microbes and indicates an urgent need for smarter and more effective remediation strategies. The same fertiliser used to accelerate crop growth, will in turn be the same source of crop decline and reduced biodiversity, as increased NOx create an increment in acidic rain, in a time when alterations in climate patterns is leading to scarce rainfall. 

If less water is becoming available to crops, it should at the very least, neither be contaminated nor harmful to humans and the ecological systems at large. Particularly, as NOx emissions are more predominant, when soil water content is below field capacity and N2O in scenarios where soil water content is above field capacity e.g. during flooding caused by sudden heavy rainfall. 

From the scarcity of rain to sudden excess thereof, all the aspects accelerate NOx emissions in an ever growing erratic climate and this has consequences on both humans and ecological systems. 

HEALTH, ECOLOGICAL & ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES

The interaction of NO2 and other nitrogen oxides (NOx) with water, oxygen and other chemicals in the atmosphere can form acid rain which harms sensitive ecosystems such as lakes and forests. Elevated levels of NO2 can also harm vegetation, decreasing growth, and reduce crop yields.

The rate at which harmful (NOx and N2O) and inert nitrogen (N2) gases are emitted from soils, is heavily dependent on Nitrogen availability, soil moisture, and temperature. Losses of Nitrogen fertiliser are costly to farmers and carry economic costs estimated in countries like the United States to be on the order of $210 billion dollars per year in health and environmental damages. Reducing NOx emissions therefore offers a win-win situation for farmers, environmental health, and the economy. 

NOx gases have been linked to upper respiratory disease, asthma, cancer, birth defects, cardiovascular disease, and sudden infant death syndrome. NO2 is sparingly soluble in water and on inhalation, it diffuses into the lung and slowly hydrolyzes to nitrous and nitric acid, which then causes lung disease, lung damage and upon chronic exposure, it can prove to be fatal. NO2 also has negative effects on reproductive potency and in sever cases, results in cancer.

As for aquatic life, reactive nitrogen is soluble and can easily make its way into watercourses via runoffs where it encourages plant growth, sometimes resulting in ‘algal blooms’ which reduce light and oxygen levels in the water. This alters plant communities and kills fish, creating marine "dead zones". This has disastrous consequences for biodiversity and local livelihoods.

Evidently, air pollution, health, and the climate ought to be jointly considered, in the assessment of how farming and combustion fuel practices affect reactive nitrogen oxide emissions. 

Studies have estimated that the benefit in reduction of ammonia emissions by reduced premature deaths is potentially €14,837 million. In contrast, annual costs for contemporary ammonia emission abatement options (low-nitrogen feed, covered manure storage, urea fertilizer application and low-emission animal housing) were estimated to be about € 4.307 billion. 

Through smart and sustainably cost-effective strategies, the emission of nitrogenous gases can be contained while achieving clean water, unpolluted air environments and healthier agricultural produce. As for the fossil fuel sector, a more efficient capture of nitrogen oxides from such sources is equitably necessary.

Considering the fact that the economic benefits of improved air and water quality overwhelmingly outweigh the costs of emission reduction measures, there are substantial grounds to prioritise curbing Nitrogen emissions, from agricultural, traffic, domestic and industrial sources.

ECO - RN

COLOUR : White Nanopowder

SURFACE AREA (BET) : 35930 m²/kg

AVERAGE NOx ABSORPTION : approx. 9473 mg of NOx per gram of nano-biomaterial

AVERAGE DOSAGE IN COATINGS* (e.g. in flue systems, on walls of buildings, seed silos, freestall barns & manure storage walls) : ~ 0.2 g per litre

AVERAGE DOSAGE PER m3 OF MANURE:  2 g

1 cubic metre (m3) of manure = 400 kg

AVERAGE DOSAGE IN SOIL IRRIGATION WATER (for ~ 19.8 kg of N ha−1 year−1 ) *: 0.0004 wt % (i.e. 0.1 g per 25L) - per year or 1.09 kg per hectare, per year. (more info in applications section below)

1 hectare is irrigatd with approx.  250,000 L of water

APPLICATIONS: 

• Effective nano-sorbent for NO2, NH3, propionaldehyde, benzaldehyde, dimethylamine, N-nitrosodiethylamine and methanol. Smoke suppression and flame retardant.

Upon reaction with NO2 , a mixture of nitrate (NO3 ), NO and nitrogen (N) are formed nan-biomaterial surface. NO3 is a thermally stable specie that typically decomposes at temperatures between 177 and 327 °C.. 

When these adsorbates are bound to the nano-biomaterial surface however, NO2 species are retained on the nano-biomaterial surface up to about 327 °C , and the NO3  tends to be stable at temperatures up to 527  °C. 

This means the nano-biomaterial can retain NOx  to help minimise the emissions from manure

Nitrates (NO3 ) in the soil are a primary source of nitrogen which is essential for plant growth. Essentially, plant roots absorb nitrates for healthy growth. and they need the nitrate for producing amino acids which are then used to form proteins. It regulates the overall nitrogen metabolism and provides uninterrupted nitrogen for chlorophyll biosynthesis. This makes the thermal stability of the absorbed NOx important because : 

a) The emission rates of  NOx  can be curbed in hot climates and drought situations and

b) Due the high soluble and biodegradable nature of NO3 fertiliser specie being bound to the nano-biomaterial surface, where the paticles act as nitrate storage systems. NO3 fertiliser is hence retained in the soil via the nano-biomaterial surface longer periods throughout the year in a delayed release mechanism. 

An extended availability of NO3 reduces the need for repetitive fertiliser usage and saves farmers millions of dollars, preserves soil health, cleans the air and restores a balance in the ecosystem. 

This approach is designated to keep N in the soil longer and released slowly to plants over time via diffusive mechanisms as the N content deminishes in the surrounding soil, rather than being emitted into the atmosphere as a harmful NOx air pollutant.

Being bound to a water insoluble mineral nano-biomaterial is also likely to reduce the excessive runoff of nitrogen into waterways and minimise aquatic pollution.

• Reduce soil acidity.

• Odour reduction in compost piles and soil

• Soil amendment, soil conditioner

• Anti-pathogenic agent against Gram-negative (E. coli) and Gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria,  the fungi Aspergillus niger and Penicillium oxalicum  ( ~ 150 - 250 μg/mL or 0.15 to 0.25g per litre)

• Contains an essential element to most biological systems, which becomes available to soil and groundwater microbial populations during metals remediation, as an added benefit.

ECO-R3

NANOARCHITECTURE : Atomically-Architectured Sheets/Flakes ( < 1 nm thickness)

SURFACE AREA (BET) : 49550 m²/kg

COLOUR : Black/Blackish-Brown Nanopowder

AVERAGE NOx ABSORPTION : approx. 46.4 mg of NOx per gram of nano-biomaterial

AVERAGE DOSAGE IN COATINGS* (e.g. on walls of buildings, indoor farms, seed silos, freestall barns & manure storage walls) : depending on emission levels

AVERAGE DOSAGE IN SOIL IRRIGATION WATER (for ~ 19.8 kg of N ha−1 year−1 )*: 0.00044 wt % (i.e. 0.11 g per 25L) - per year

APPLICATIONS : 

Helps increase the plant growth and development, enhances plant the stress tolerance of and the provision of nutrients

• HEAVY METALS : Removal of Asernic, copper removal at low pH, actinides, nano-sorbent for NO2

• OILS & HARMFUL CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS : Accelerates oil removal in water-oil emulsion, Asphaltene scavenging, detoxification of chlorinated organic solvents.

• PESTICIDES & PHARMACEUTICAL RESIDUE : Detoxification of organo-chlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)  and removal of antibiotics such as piperacillin (PIP), tazobactam (TAZ), sulfamethoxazole (SUL), tetracycline (TET), trimethoprim (TRI), ampicillin (AMP) and erythromycin (ERY) in aqeous media.