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Main Title A preliminary analysis of nitrous oxide (N2O) including a materials balance /
Author Cothern, C. Richard
Other Authors
Author Title of a Work
Cothern, C. Richard.
CORP Author Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. Office of Toxic Substances.
Publisher U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Year Published 1979
Report Number EPA 560/6-79-001
Stock Number PB-290 653
OCLC Number 44596396
Subjects Nitrous oxide
Additional Subjects Nitrogen oxide(N2O) ; Air pollution ; Stratosphere ; Ozone ; Fresh water ; Sea water ; Sediments ; Land ; Fertilizers ; Farm crops ; Sources ; Atmospheric chemistry ; Path of pollutants
Internet Access
Description Access URL
https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi?Dockey=9100AO9X.PDF
Holdings
Library Call Number Additional Info Location Last
Modified
Checkout
Status
ELBD ARCHIVE EPA 560-6-79-001 Received from HQ AWBERC Library/Cincinnati,OH 10/04/2023
NTIS  PB-290 653 Some EPA libraries have a fiche copy filed under the call number shown. 07/26/2022
Collation 79 pages ; 28 cm
Abstract
This preliminary analysis of the sources, sinks and effect of nitrous oxide (N2O) in the atmosphere is a snapshot in time of a rapidly moving object. Much has been learned about this gas in recent years but much remains to be determined. The most reasonable residence time for N2O in the atmosphere is in the range of 100-150 years. Since the change in atmospheric concentration of N2O is less than 1% per year, this implies that the release rate is in the range of 10-15 Mt N2O/year. The combination of freshwater, ocean and sediment sources appears to be about 7 Mt N2O/year which means that the most that land/crop/fertilizer systems can contribute is 8 Mt N2O/year. The unknown in this balance is the concentration of land/crop/fertilizer systems. Measurement of such fluxes are needed. It appears that the only sinks for N2O are in the stratosphere. The overall effect of N2O on stratospheric ozone is predicted to be small and could lead to an increase in stratospheric ozone. The contribution of man made nitrous oxide appears to be small at the present time but is expected to grow. The overall problem is an important one on the time scale 20-50 years and is not an immediate crisis.
Notes
"EPA-560/6-79-001." "January 1979." "In house report." "Dr. C. Richard Cothern, Project Officer."