It's Raining Nitrogen, by Neil Caudle-- Endeavors, Fall 1999

It's Raining Nitrogen
by Neil Caudle

Most of us know that runoff from industries, cities, and farms pollutes rivers with nutrients and causes algae blooms that kill fish. Now we learn that air pollution from some of the same sources is threatening oceans, as well.

Hans Paerl, professor of marine sciences, reported in the June issue of the journal Ambio that his team had found a strong link between increases in atmospheric nitrogen and a rise in harmful algae blooms in North Atlantic waters along the U.S. and European coasts. Waters receiving the most atmospheric nitrogen were those most likely to have algae blooms, which can deplete oxygen, kill marine organisms, and disrupt the food chain.

According to Paerl, the increase is due to emissions of nitrogen oxides and ammonia from farms, cities, and industries. State environmental officials estimate that animal operations such as swine and poultry farms contribute at least half of the total atmospheric nitrogen emissions in Eastern North Carolina.