Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Inventory of strategies for reducing anthropogenic emissions of N2O and potential reduction of emissions in The Netherlands

  • Published:
Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to give a general overview of strategies to reduce N2O emissions and to investigate their potential effects in the Netherlands. For all major sources of N2O, technologies to reduce emissions are available or could become available in the near future. Their potential to reduce emissions has been estimated for conventional power plants (>10%), fluidized bed combustion (>80%), industrial production of adipic acid (>98%) and nitric acid (>80%), municipal solid waste incineration (>10%) and sewage treatment plants (50%). In addition, it is estimated that fertilizer-induced emissions in intensive agriculture can be reduced by at least 65%.

In the Netherlands, these strategies could reduce emissions of N2O by at least 40% in 1990 (i.e. if the technologies were fully implemented and nothing else would change) and by at least 30% in 2010 (relative to business as usual). Taking trends in activities into account, the mix of options considered could, in the period 2000–2010, reduce the annual Dutch emission to about 75% of the 1990 level. Most of this potential reduction is achieved by a catalytic reduction step in nitric acid production. Development of a catalytic converter seems feasible within a few years.

The reduction options considered do not include additional reductions in the volumes of activities. Thus emissions could be further reduced by reductions in fossil fuel use, vehicle use, nitrogen fertilizer use, manure production, and waste production. Conceivable technologies that may not be implementable before 2000 include a number of promising options, such as low NO x engines in vehicles, electric vehicles, NO x reduction with low N2O formation in stationary combustion and the development of modified combustors.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baas, J.: 1991, (In Dutch) Literatuuronderzoek naar de lachgasemissie door het wegverkeer. TNO Rapport R 91/322. TNO-IMW, Delft, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baas, J.: 1994, Nitrous oxide emissions from road transport in the Netherlands. TNO Report R 94/208. TNO Institute of Environmental Sciences. Delft, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, J. C. and Willams, M. L.: 1990, On the road emissions of selected individual hydrocarbons from current and low emissions technology vehicles, and of nitrous oxide from the latter. Paper presented at the International Conference in Automotive Power Systems, Chester, UK, 10–12 September 1990. Warren Spring Laboratory, Stevenage (Herts), UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berges, M. G. M., Hofmann, R. M., Scharffe, D. and Crutzen, P. J.: 1993, Nitrous oxide emissions from motor vehicles in tunnels and their global extrapolation. J. Geophys. Res. 98, 18527–18531.

    Google Scholar 

  • BKH: 1994, (In Dutch) Studie naar de vorming van N2O in rioolwaterzuiveringsinstallaties. Literatuuronderzoek en orienterende metingen. RO181018/23501/2. Delft, The Netherlands.

  • Blok, K. and DeJager, D.: 1994, Cost effectiveness of emission reduction technologies for CH4 and N2O. In: J.van Ham, L.J.H.M. Janssen and R.J. Swart (eds.), Non-CO2 greenhouse gases: why and how to control? Proceedings of an International Symposium, Maastricht, The Netherlands, 13–15 December 1993. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. pp. 17–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouscaren, R., Houllier, Ch. and Crozet, B.: 1993, Possibilities of control of greenhouse gas emissions other than CO2 in the European community. Volume 2-Nitrous oxide. CITEPA, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouwman, A. F. and Van Der Hoek, K. W.: 1991, Analysis of soil and water borne emissions of nitrous oxide and methane in the Netherlands. RIVM report no. 736301010. National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouwman, A. F.: 1994, Method to estimate direct nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural soils. RIVM report no. 773004004. National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouwman, A. F.: 1995, Compilation of a global inventory of emissions of nitrous oxide. PhD Thesis. Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands. 143 pp.

  • Bouwman, A. F., van der Hoek, K. W. and Olivier, J. G. J.: 1995, Uncertainties in the global source distribution of nitrous oxide. J. Geophys. Res. 100, 2785–2800.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowden, R. D., Melillo, J. M. and Steudler, P. A.: 1991, Effects of nitrogen addition on annual nitrous oxide fluxes from temperate forest soils in the northeastern United States. J. Geophys. Res. 96, 9321–9328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brumme, R. and Beese, F.: 1992, Effects of liming and nitrogen fertilization on emissions of CO2 and N2O from a temperate forest. J. Geophys. Res. 97, 12851–12858.

    Google Scholar 

  • Castellan, A., Bart, J. C. J. and Cavallaro, S.: 1991, Adipic acid. Catalysis Today 9, 237–254.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeBruyn, W., Lissens, G., Van Rensbergen, J. and Wevers, M.: 1994, Nitrous oxide emissions from waste water. In: J.Van Ham, L.J.H.M. Janssen and R.J. Swart (eds.) Non-CO2 greenhouse gases. Why and how to control? Proceedings of an International Symposium, Maastricht, The Netherlands, 13–15 December 1993. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, pp. 159–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dentener, F.: 1993, Hetergeneous chemistry in the troposphere. PhD Thesis. Utrecht University, The Netherlands. 179 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Soete, 1993: Nitrous oxide emissions from combustion. In: A.R.van Amstel (ed.), Proceedings of the International IPCC Workshop “Methane and nitrous oxide: Methods in national emission inventories and options for control”, Amersfoort, The Netherlands, 3–5 February 1993. National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, The Netherlands, pp. 287–338.

    Google Scholar 

  • DuPont, 1991: Du Pont to eliminate nitrous oxide emission. Du Pont information service. March 1991, Geneva, Switzerland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duxbury, J. M., Harper, L. A. and Mosier, A. R.: 1993, Contributions of agroecosystems to global climate change. In: D.E. Rolston, J.M. Duxbury, L.A. Harper and A.R. Mosier (eds.). Agricultural ecosystem effects on trace gases and global climate change. ASA Special publications no. 55, pp. 1–18. American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America, Madison, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eichner, M. J.: 1990, Nitrous oxide emissions from fertilized soils: summary of available data. J. Environ. Qual. 19, 272–280.

    Google Scholar 

  • Granli, T. and Bøckman, O. C.: 1994, Nitrous oxide from agriculture. Norwegian J. Agric. Sci. Supplement No. 12.

  • Groenesteijn, C. M., Oosthoek, J. and van Faassen, H. G.: 1993, Microbial processes in deep-litter systems for fattening pigs and emission of ammonia, nitrous oxide and nitric oxide. In: M.W.A. Verstegen, L.A.den Hartog, G.J.M.van Kempem, and J.H.M. Metz (eds.): Nitrogen flow in pig production and environmental consequences. Proceedings of the first international symposium on nitrogen flow in pig production and environmental consequences, 8–11 June 1993. EAAP Publication no. 69. Pudoc Scientific Publishers, Wageningen, The Netherlands, pp. 307–312.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hong, Z., Hanaki, K. and Matsuo, T.: 1993, Greenhouse gas-N2O production during denitrification in wastewater treatment. Water Sci. Technol. 7, 203–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houghton, J. T., Callander, B. A. and Varney, S. K. (eds.): 1992, Climate Change 1992. The supplementary report to the IPCC scientific assessment. Published for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press.

  • Jobson, E., Smedler, G., Malmberg, P., Bernler, H., Hjortsberg, O., Gottberg, I. and Rosen, A.: 1994, Nitrous oxide formation over three-way catalyst. SAE Paper 9490926. Volvo Technology Development/Volvo Car Corp. Sweden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khalil, M. A. K. and Rasmussen, R. A.: 1989, Climate induced feedbacks for the global cycles of methane and nitrous oxide. Tellus 41B, 554–559.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kreileman, G. J. J. and Bouwman, A. F.: 1994, Computing land use emissions of greenhouse gases. Water Air Soil Pollut. 76, 231–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kroeze, C.: 1994, Nitrous oxide (N2O). Emission inventory and options for control in the Netherlands. RIVM report no. 773001004. National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lecker, B.: 1993, Emissions from circulating fluidized-bed combustion of wood. Paper presented at the IEA FBC technical meeting, Madrid, 17 November 1992 and IEA biomass combustion meeting, Borås, Sweden, 9 November 1992. Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mosier, A. R.: 1994, Nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural soils. Fertilizer Res. 37, 191–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nevison, C.: 1994, A model analysis of the spatial distribution and temporal trends of nitrous oxide sources and sinks. Cooperative Thesis No. 147. Stanford University and National Center for Atmospheric Research. NCAR, Boulder, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nogita, S., Saito, Y. and Kuge, T.: 1981, A new indicator of the activated sludge process-nitrous oxide. Water Sci. Technol. 13, 199–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oenema, O. and Velthof, G. L.: 1993, Denitrification and nitric-acid-treated slurry during storage. Neth. J. Agric. Sci. 41, 63–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver, J. G. J.: 1993a, Nitrous oxide emissions from industrial sources. In: A.R.van Amstel (ed.), Proceedings the International IPCC workshop “Methane and nitrous oxide. Methods in national emission inventories and options for control”, Amersfoort, The Netherlands, 3–5 February 1993. National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, The Netherlands, pp. 339–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olivier, J. G. J.: 1993b, Working group report: nitrous oxide emissions from fuel combustion and industrial processes. In: A.R.van Amstel (ed.), Proceedings of the International IPCC workshop “Methane and nitrous oxide: Methods in national emission inventories and options for control”, Amersfoort, The Netherlands, 3–5 February 1993. National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, The Netherlands, pp. 347–357.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oonk, J.: TNO. Institute of Environmental and Energy Technology, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands (personal communication).

  • Reimer, R. A., Parrett, R. A. and Slaten, C. S.: 1992, Abatement of N2O emissions produced in adipic acid. Proceedings 5th international symposium on nitrous oxide, Tsukuba, Japan, 1–3 July 1992.

  • Reimer, R. A., Slaten, C. S., Seapan, M., Koch, T. A. and Tomlinson, P. E.: 1994, Development of technologies for control of N2O emissions associated wityh adipic acid production. Paper presented at the 6th international workshop on nitrous oxide emissions, Turku, Finland, 7–9 June 1993.

  • RIVM: 1993a, National Environmental Outlook 3. National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • RIVM: 1993b, (In Dutch), Milieurendement van het NMP-2. Aanvulling op de National Milieuverkenning 3. National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Romançzak, A.: 1994, Reduction of N2O emissions by nitrification inhibitors and slow release fertilizers. Internship report. National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spoelstra, H.: 1993, N2O emissions from combustion processes used in the generation of electricity. 10142-KES/MME 92-4029. KEMA Environmental Services, Arnhem, The Netherlands. 27 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thiemens, M. H. and Trogler, W. C.: 1991, Nylon production: an unkown source of atmospheric nitrous oxide. Science 251, 932–934.

    Google Scholar 

  • UK Dept. of Trade and Industry: 1994, Energy technologies for the UK. An appraisal of UK energy research, development, demonstration and dissemination. Energy paper 61. Department of Trade and Industry, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Velthof, G. L. and Oenema, O.: 1993, Nitrous oxide flux from nitric-acid-treated cattle slurry applied to grassland under semi-controlled conditions. Neth. J. Agric. Sci. 41, 81–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Hoek, K. W.: 1994, (In Dutch) Berekeningsmethodiek ammoniakemissie in Nederland voor de jaren 1990, 1991 en 1992. RIVM report no. 773004003. National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Hoek, K. W.: National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, The Netherlands (personal communication).

  • VROM: 1993, (In Dutch) Industriele emissies in Nederland. Bedrijfsgroepen, individuele stoffen en verdeling over regio's. Vijfde inventarisatieronde 1990. Publikatiereeks emissieregistratie. nr. 14. Ministry of Housing, Physical Planning and Environment, The Hague, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Worrell, W.: 1994, Potentials for improved use of industrial energy and materials. PhD Thesis. University of Utrecht, The Netherlands. 181 pp.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wageningen Institute for Environment and Climate Research, Wageningen Agricultural University, P.O. Box 9101, 6700 HB, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Carolien Kroeze

Authors
  1. Carolien Kroeze
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kroeze, C. Inventory of strategies for reducing anthropogenic emissions of N2O and potential reduction of emissions in The Netherlands. Mitig Adapt Strat Glob Change 1, 115–137 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00455056

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00455056

Keywords

Search

Navigation