Nitrogen mobilization in Asia

The addition of anthropogenic N by food and energy production to the global environment contributes to the greenhouse effect, acid deposition, photochemical smog, stratospheric ozone depletion and eutrophication of fresh and marine waters. On a global basis, anthropogenic N mobilization is greater then natural sources of bio-reactive N. Currently, Asia is a hotspot of N mobilization and distribution to downwind and downstream environments, primarily due to food production. Asia's contribution will continue to increase, not only due to population growth, but also to increases in the per capita consumption of food and energy. This paper provides an overview of the global N cycle, presents an analysis of N dynamics within agroecosystems, examines N mobilization in Asia and discusses possible rates of N mobilization in the future.