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The Dutch N-cascade in the European perspective

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Abstract

The Netherlands is “well known” for its nitrogen problems; it has one of the highest reactive nitrogen (Nr) emission densities in the world. It is a small country at the delta of several large European rivers. Ever since the industrial revolution, there has been a growing excess of nutrients and related emissions into the atmosphere (ammonia, nitrogen oxides and nitrous oxide) and into groundwater and surface water (nitrate), leading to a large range of cascading environmental impacts. Vehicular traffic, sewage and animal husbandry are the main sources of oxidized and reduced forms of Nr. This paper provides an overview of the origin and fate of nitrogen in the Netherlands, the various reported impacts of nitrogen, the Dutch and European policies to reduce nitrogen emissions and related impacts. In addition, ways are presented to go forward to potentially solve the problems in a European perspective. Solutions include the improvement of nitrogen efficiencies in different systems, technological options and education.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Energy Research Center of the Netherlands, ECN, P.O.Box 1, 1755 ZG, Petten, The Netherlands

    Jan Willem Erisman & Nelleke Domburg

  2. Alterra Green World Research, P.O.box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Wim de Vries & Hans Kros

  3. RIVM, P.O.Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands

    Bronno de Haan

  4. Spatial Planning and the Environment, VROM, Ministry of Housing, The Netherlands

    Kaj Sanders

Authors
  1. Jan Willem Erisman
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  2. Nelleke Domburg
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  3. Wim de Vries
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  4. Hans Kros
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  5. Bronno de Haan
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  6. Kaj Sanders
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Correspondence to Jan Willem Erisman.

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Erisman, J.W., Domburg, N., de Vries, W. et al. The Dutch N-cascade in the European perspective. Sci. China Ser. C.-Life Sci. 48 (Suppl 2), 827–842 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03187122

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03187122

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