New network looks to reduce nitrous oxide emissions

By Rachel Fioret, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Woolwich Observer

Nitrous oxide (N2O), also known as laughing gas for its use in dental procedures, is accumulating within the atmosphere and stays there for an average of 114 years, finds new research.

Once in the atmosphere, it can convert into nitrogen oxides that harm the ozone  layer, therefore exposing the Earth to more harmful solar radiation.

This odourless, colourless, non-flammable gas emitted into the atmosphere  from both natural processes, about 60 per cent, and human activity, 40 percent.

Natural processes include the nitrogen cycle, which is how nitrogen is circulated through the  atmosphere and environment, all the way down to the microorganisms in the water and soil.

Nitrogen is found naturally in soils under vegetation, tundra lands, and the oceans.

The majority of human-caused emissions are a result of agriculture and wastewater treatment. That portion can be reduced, according to the CANN2ONET, the Canadian Nitrous Oxide Network, which is a new initiative led  by University of Guelph researchers exploring ways to reduce Canada’s emissions of N2O.

Nitrogen is used in agriculture as it supports plant health, which makes it a staple component of many commercial  fertilizers. Generally, half of the nitrogen will seep into the crop and the rest will seep into groundwater, eventually rising to the  atmosphere as gas.

Over-application of manure fertilizer to crops can also be consumed by microbes that produce nitrous oxide.

The treatment of wastewater creates N2O as a byproduct of activated sludge processes that speed up waste decomposition.

In recent years, the global rise in N2O is increasing quickly, and this has inspired more research.

CANN2ONET will receive $7.9 million over four years from the NSERC-SSHRC Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative.

The funding supports research to find solutions for sustainable and  profitable agriculture in a net-zero economy, and the network includes universities, colleges, industry partners and governments across the country.

University of Guelph environmental scientist Dr. Claudia Wagner-Riddle is leading the network.

CANN2ONET is a “collaborative network for us to work together to provide metrics that reflect the process farmers are using,” Wagner-Riddle said in an interview.

Involving researchers from coast to coast, it’s “very importantly a collaboration between partners in industry, partners in  government and academics,” she said, with the intention to improve communication across sectors.

Searching to find common ground for what farmers need to do their jobs is a mission of the project. By focusing on tailoring solutions to specific farmers’ situations, researchers intend to have more regional information for farmers, Wagner-Riddle added.

Specific solutions will lead to applicable processes that make a real difference, she noted.

Nitrogen is a highly important part of farming and agriculture. “We need to  apply nitrogen,” she said, “it’s about how we apply nitrogen better, rather than not using it at all.”

Some farmers are already working on finding solutions to nitrogen use in farming, and CANN2ONET strives to support farmers with their innovations.

“We can do it better, we can improve it,” Wagner-Riddle said.

The collaborative project could uncover some novel solutions in the near future, helping farmers and saving the environment.

“We’re all very excited about doing this work over the next four years.”