Abatement Of Emissions Of Other Greenhouse Gases Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a substantially more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, with a global warming potential over a 100-year time horizon around 310 times that of CO2. Although N2O appears naturally in the atmosphere, the concentration of N2O has increased by around 13% since pre-industrial times. The observed increase indicates that anthropogenic sources are contributing to global atmospheric N2O concentrations.The main natural sources of N2O are the oceans, and tropical and temperate soils. The main anthropogenic sources of N2O emissions are agriculture, industrial processes, and fuel combustion. Emissions from natural sources are roughly equal to those from human activities. This paper examines each of the major anthropogenic sources of N2O emissions of and estimates the current levels of global emissions. The current technology employed in each sector has been considered and how they lead to nitrous oxide emissions. For each case control technologies or practices have been identified. The cost-effectiveness of some options for reducing or eliminating N2O emissions is presented.