Consider the following statements:
- 1. Agricultural soils release nitrogen oxides into environment.
- 2. Cattle release ammonia into environment.
- 3. Poultry industry releases reactive nitrogen compounds into environment.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1 only
2 and 3 only
4 only
1, 2 and 3
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2019
1. Agricultural soils release nitrogen oxides into environment: Correct. Nitrous oxide (N₂O), a significant greenhouse gas, is released from agricultural soils through microbial processes (nitrification and denitrification), especially when nitrogen fertilizers are used. Other nitrogen oxides (like NO and NO₂) can also be released, though N₂O is the most significant from soil.
2. Cattle release ammonia into environment: Correct. Livestock, particularly cattle, excrete significant amounts of nitrogen in urine and feces. This nitrogen is converted to ammonia (NH₃) through microbial processes in manure and released into the atmosphere.
3. Poultry industry releases reactive nitrogen compounds into environment: Correct. Similar to cattle, poultry operations generate large amounts of nitrogen-rich manure, which leads to the release of ammonia and other reactive nitrogen compounds into the atmosphere. Poultry litter management is a major source of atmospheric ammonia.