Wetlands as a Source of Nitrous Oxide

The global emission of nitrons oxide to the atmosphere is estimated to be 17.7 Tg N2O-N year (Kroeze et al., 1999). Althongh over 20% of the total global nitrous oxide emission and 50% of the total (N2O + N2) emission may be dne to natnral terrestrial emissions, the observed increase is essentially dne to the increased nse of N fertilizers and combustion processes. 

Although the estimated source strengths remain uncertain, emissions from soils appear to dominate the nitrons oxide bndget (IPCC, 1990). The main biogenic sources of nitrous oxide, NO, and N2 in soils are the microbial processes of denitrification and nitrification. 

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