About the Gulf > Nitrogen
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is among the most abundant elements on Earth. It comprises 78 percent of the Earth’s atmosphere and is essential for all life forms. Since it is so abundant and important, one might wonder, “What is the problem with a little more nitrogen?” The issue is that most of the global nitrogen exists in its elemental gaseous form that is biologically unavailable to all organisms except those that can fix nitrogen (convert it to organic nitrogen), which include some bacteria, algae, and flowering plants (such as legumes). Most natural ecosystems have evolved under the constraint of a shortage of biologically available nitrogen. Read more
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Gulf of Maine Council’s related activities
- The Council co-sponsored a nitrogen workshop in 2001 that framed the basic issues
of managing nitrogen impacts in the Gulf, and continues to
work collaboratively with other agencies and organizations
to develop and implement research,
monitoring, and management programs in the region. Download workshop
report (pdf) - Nitrogen is one of three priority contaminants in the Council’s Action Plan 2001-2006.