Study Finds Fertilizer Contributes to Global Warming

The source of one-third of nitrous oxide (a greenhouse gas that also destroys stratospheric ozone) in our atmosphere is unknown. A recent article coauthored by PPC Environmental researcher, Scott Spak, in Environmental Science & Technology may help to fill this gap. The team of UI researchers found that atmospheric N2O may be formed from the decomposition of ammonium nitrate, which is used as fertilizer and also found in secondary atmospheric particle pollution.