title: Transformation of the nitrogen cycle: recent trends, questions, and potential solutions.
abstract: Humans continue to transform the global nitrogen cycle at a record pace, reflecting an increased combustion of fossil fuels, growing demand for nitrogen in agriculture and industry, and pervasive inefficiencies in its use. Much anthropogenic nitrogen is lost to air, water, and land to cause a cascade of environmental and human health problems. Simultaneously, food production in some parts of the world is nitrogen-deficient, highlighting inequities in the distribution of nitrogen-containing fertilizers. Optimizing the need for a key human resource while minimizing its negative consequences requires an integrated interdisciplinary approach and the development of strategies to decrease nitrogen-containing waste.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Sciences Department, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA. jng@virginia.edu
authors.forename: James N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Galloway
authors.forename: Alan R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Townsend
authors.forename: Jan Willem
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Erisman
authors.forename: Mateete
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bekunda
authors.forename: Zucong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Freney
authors.forename: Luiz A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: Sybil P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Seitzinger
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sutton
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000639:trends; D000818:Animals; D001272:Atmosphere; D002980:Climate; D003132:Commerce / Q000639:trends; D017753:Ecosystem; D004777:Environment; D005579:Fossil Fuels; D006802:Human Activities / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000639:trends; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D009586:Nitrogen Fixation; D026361:Reactive Nitrogen Species / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014329:Tropical Climate
chemical_list: D005579:Fossil Fuels; D026361:Reactive Nitrogen Species; D009584:Nitrogen