GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Sources of U.S. nitrous oxide emissions include agriculture, energy use, industrial processes, and waste management (Figure 22).

Detailed explanation-2: -Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is produced when fertilizer soaks into the soil or water. Researchers say lessening the impact of nitrous oxide on the environment may be nearly impossible as global food demands increase.

Detailed explanation-3: -Climate scientists have assumed that the cause of the increased nitrous oxide was nitrogen-based fertilizer, which stimulates microbes in the soil to convert nitrogen to nitrous oxide at a faster rate than normal.

Detailed explanation-4: -Carbon dioxide, which is emitted whenever coal, oil, natural gas and other carbon-rich fossil fuels are burned. Methane is caused by the decomposition of plant matter, and is released from landfills, swamps, rice paddies. Nitrous oxide is released from bacteria in soil. More items