News Nitrogen
TNO: Focus from deposition to nitrogen emissions
The focus in tackling the nitrogen problem must be shifted from steering on deposition to steering on emissions. This, in combination with the more refined measurement of emissions at the source, is the opinion of the independent research organization TNO in Delft. TNO also believes that targets for nitrogen oxides (mainly traffic, industry and construction) and ammonia (mainly agriculture) should be set separately. Emissions of nitrogen oxides must be compensated with nitrogen oxides and not with ammonia.
"Shift the focus from deposition to measuring emissions from local and individual sources and what is needed for this, because that is where the buttons that entrepreneurs and the government can turn. That can help us get out of the nitrogen impasse," says Marinke Wijngaard, managing director of TNO Circular Economy and Environment in a statement. Furthermore, in the analysis Moreover, it is not yet practically possible to measure and maintain the deposition directly in a large number of locations.
According to TNO, an associated set of measurement and monitoring instruments is essential. Not only certified measurements on the ground, but also in space. TNO previously reported on the development of a ammonia satellite. The nitrogen emissions to air consist of 60% ammonia (NH3) and 40% nitrogen oxides (NOx). Agriculture is responsible for 61% of total nitrogen emissions. In addition, road traffic (15%), industry (9%), non-road traffic (including air and shipping) (6%) and households and offices (6%) also contribute.
Because much less is known about ammonia emissions than about nitrogen oxides, a separate assessment and balancing can, according to TNO, 'provide faster and more robust scope to get the Netherlands out of the lock.' "In this way, the clearly visible nitrogen oxides of new activities can be overcompensated with reduction of existing nitrogen oxides." Which activities or adaptations can be exchanged (construction, traffic, industry, etc.) requires political choices, according to TNO. According to the organization, monitoring the functioning of the technology in practice is also essential. "This not only ensures that innovations perform well when introduced, but also that correct maintenance, application and performance are guaranteed in the longer term."
Redesigning 2 kilometers around Natura 2000 areas
TNO also argues in favor of making a distinction in the approach between solutions in the short and medium term and for areas close to Natura 2000 and areas further away. TNO recommends a quick emissions scan of individual sources in the 1 to 2 kilometer ring around Natura 2000 areas. The emissions in this ring cause much more deposition in adjacent nature areas than the same emissions at a greater distance, and TNO therefore expects that the emission of both NH3 and NOx there can only be minimal.
Redevelopment of these areas with nitrogen-extensive (agricultural) activities is therefore inevitable, according to TNO in the analysis. "This represents a major step in reducing the deposition on sensitive nature and, especially for agriculture elsewhere in the country, buying time to develop proven effective packages of measures for the medium term." Targeted support during a switch to other activities can offer perspective in this, according to TNO.
Linda van Eekeres
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