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Changing patterns of global nitrogen deposition driven by socio-economic development

Author

Listed:
  • Jianxing Zhu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yanlong Jia

    (Hebei Agricultural University)

  • Guirui Yu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Qiufeng Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Nianpeng He

    (Northeast Forestry University)

  • Zhi Chen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Honglin He

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xianjin Zhu

    (Shenyang Agricultural University)

  • Pan Li

    (Tianjin University)

  • Fusuo Zhang

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Xuejun Liu

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Keith Goulding

    (Rothamsted Research)

  • David Fowler

    (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology)

  • Peter Vitousek

    (Stanford University)

Abstract

Advances in manufacturing and trade have reshaped global nitrogen deposition patterns, yet their dynamics and drivers remain unclear. Here, we compile a comprehensive global nitrogen deposition database spanning 1977–2021, aggregating 52,671 site-years of data from observation networks and published articles. This database show that global nitrogen deposition to land is 92.7 Tg N in 2020. Total nitrogen deposition increases initially, stabilizing after peaking in 2015. Developing countries at low and middle latitudes emerge as new hotspots. The gross domestic product per capita is found to be highly and non-linearly correlated with global nitrogen deposition dynamic evolution, and reduced nitrogen deposition peaks higher and earlier than oxidized nitrogen deposition. Our findings underscore the need for policies that align agricultural and industrial progress to facilitate the peak shift or reduction of nitrogen deposition in developing countries and to strengthen measures to address NH3 emission hotspots in developed countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Jianxing Zhu & Yanlong Jia & Guirui Yu & Qiufeng Wang & Nianpeng He & Zhi Chen & Honglin He & Xianjin Zhu & Pan Li & Fusuo Zhang & Xuejun Liu & Keith Goulding & David Fowler & Peter Vitousek, 2025. "Changing patterns of global nitrogen deposition driven by socio-economic development," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-55606-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55606-y
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