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Beef and coal are key drivers of Australia's high nitrogen footprint.


ABSTRACT: Anthropogenic release of reactive nitrogen (Nr; all species of N except N2) to the global nitrogen (N) cycle is substantial and it negatively affects human and ecosystem health. A novel metric, the N footprint, provides a consumer-based perspective for Nr use efficiency and connects lifestyle choices with Nr losses. Here we report the first full-scale assessment of the anthropogenic Nr loss by Australians. Despite its 'clean and green' image, Australia has the largest N footprint (47 kg N cap-1 yr-1) both in food and energy sectors among all countries that have used the N-Calculator model. About 69% of the Australia's N footprint is attributed to food consumption and the associated food production, with the rest from energy consumption. Beef consumption and production is the major contributor of the high food N footprint, while the heavy dependence on coal for electricity explains the large energy N footprint. Our study demonstrates opportunities for managing Nr loss and lifestyle choices to reduce the N footprint.

SUBMITTER: Liang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5180353 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Beef and coal are key drivers of Australia's high nitrogen footprint.

Liang Xia X   Leach Allison M AM   Galloway James N JN   Gu Baojing B   Lam Shu Kee SK   Chen Deli D  

Scientific reports 20161223


Anthropogenic release of reactive nitrogen (Nr; all species of N except N<sub>2</sub>) to the global nitrogen (N) cycle is substantial and it negatively affects human and ecosystem health. A novel metric, the N footprint, provides a consumer-based perspective for Nr use efficiency and connects lifestyle choices with Nr losses. Here we report the first full-scale assessment of the anthropogenic Nr loss by Australians. Despite its 'clean and green' image, Australia has the largest N footprint (47   ...[more]

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