The Warming Climate Aggravates Atmospheric Nitrogen Pollution in Australia

Australia is a warm country with well-developed agriculture and a highly urbanized population. How these specific features impact the nitrogen cycle, emissions, and consequently affect environmental and human health is not well understood. Here, we find that the ratio of reactive nitrogen (Nr) losses to air over losses to water in Australia is 1.6 as compared to values less than 1.1 in the USA, the European Union, and China. Australian Nr emissions to air increased bymore than 70% between 1961 and 2013, from 1.2Tg N yr(1) to 2.1Tg N yr(1). Previous emissions were substantially underestimated mainly due to neglecting the warming climate. The estimated health cost from atmospheric Nr emissions in Australia is 4.6 billion US dollars per year. Emissions of Nr to the environment are closely correlated with economic growth, and reduction of Nr losses to air is a priority for sustainable development in Australia.

Automated summary

Australia has a high ratio of reactive nitrogen losses to air compared to water, with emissions increasing significantly over the years leading to substantial health costs. These emissions are closely tied to economic growth, highlighting the importance of reducing nitrogen losses for sustainable development in the country.