Q. Consider the following statements:

  1. Agricultural soils release nitrogen oxides into environment.
  2. Cattle release ammonia into environment.
  3. Poultry industry releases reactive nitrogen compounds environment.

Which of the statements given above is/arc correct?

  • 1 and 3 only
  • 2 and 3 only
  • 2 only
  • 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Notes:

  • Nitrogen particles make up the largest fraction of PM 2.5, the class of pollutants closely linked to cardiovascular and respiratory illness, says the first-ever quantitative assessment of nitrogen pollution (Indian Nitrogen Assessment) in India.
  • Besides, the Indian Nitrogen Assessment has also released other data regarding nitrogen. They are as follows:
  • Agricultural soils contributed to over 70% of N2O emissions from India in 2010, followed by waste water (12%) and residential and commercial activities (6%).
  • Cattle account for 80% of the ammonia production, though their annual growth rate is 1%, due to a stable population.
  • The poultry industry, on the other hand, with an annual growth rate of 6%, recorded an excretion of reactive nitrogen compounds of 0.415 tonnes in 2016.