---
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caption: 'Once created, a molecule of reactive nitrogen has a cascading impact on people and ecosystems as it contributes to a number of environmental issues. Molecular terms represent oxidized forms of nitrogen primarily from fossil fuel combustion (such as nitrogen oxides, NO<sub>x</sub>), reduced forms of nitrogen primarily from agriculture (such as ammonia, NH<sub>3</sub>), and organic forms of nitrogen (N<sub>org</sub>) from various processes. NO<sub>y</sub> is all nitrogen-containing atmospheric gases that have both nitrogen and oxygen, other than nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O). NH<sub>x</sub> is the sum of ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) and ammonium (NH<sub>4</sub>). (Figure source: adapted from EPA 2011;<tbib>346e77a5-93b9-4c37-bd95-d7db44091a4c</tbib> Galloway et al. 2003;<tbib>c713eeb5-4e17-41e2-b65d-da453bbf9f97</tbib> with input from USDA. USDA contributors were Adam Chambers and Margaret Walsh).'
chapter:
  description: ~
  display_name: 'Chapter 15: Biogeochemical Cycles'
  doi: 10.7930/J0X63JT0
  identifier: biogeochemical-cycles
  number: 15
  report_identifier: nca3
  sort_key: 150
  title: Biogeochemical Cycles
  url: http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/sectors/biogeochemical-cycles
chapter_identifier: biogeochemical-cycles
cited_by: []
contributors: []
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description: 'Once created, a molecule of reactive nitrogen has a cascading impact on people and ecosystems as it contributes to a number of environmental issues. Molecular terms represent oxidized forms of nitrogen primarily from fossil fuel combustion (such as nitrogen oxides, NO<sub>x</sub>), reduced forms of nitrogen primarily from agriculture (such as ammonia, NH<sub>3</sub>), and organic forms of nitrogen (N<sub>org</sub>) from various processes. NO<sub>y</sub> is all nitrogen-containing atmospheric gases that have both nitrogen and oxygen, other than nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O). NH<sub>x</sub> is the sum of ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) and ammonium (NH<sub>4</sub>). (Figure source: adapted from EPA 2011;<tbib>346e77a5-93b9-4c37-bd95-d7db44091a4c</tbib> Galloway et al. 2003;<tbib>c713eeb5-4e17-41e2-b65d-da453bbf9f97</tbib> with input from USDA. USDA contributors were Adam Chambers and Margaret Walsh).'
display_name: '15.2: Human Activities that Form Reactive Nitrogen and Resulting Consequences in Environmental Reservoirs'
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identifier: human-activities-that-form-reactive-nitrogen-and-resulting-consequences-in-environmental-reservoirs
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    uri: /reference/346e77a5-93b9-4c37-bd95-d7db44091a4c
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report:
  display_name: 'Climate Change Impacts in the United States: The Third National Climate Assessment'
report_identifier: nca3
source_citation: adapted from EPA 2011;<tbib>346e77a5-93b9-4c37-bd95-d7db44091a4c</tbib> Galloway et al. 2003;<tbib>c713eeb5-4e17-41e2-b65d-da453bbf9f97</tbib> with input from USDA. USDA contributors were Adam Chambers and Margaret Walsh
submission_dt: ~
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title: Human Activities that Form Reactive Nitrogen and Resulting Consequences in Environmental Reservoirs
type: figure
uri: /report/nca3/chapter/biogeochemical-cycles/figure/human-activities-that-form-reactive-nitrogen-and-resulting-consequences-in-environmental-reservoirs
url: http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/sectors/biogeochemical-cycles/graphics/human-activities-form-reactive-nitrogen-and-resulting
usage_limits: Copyright protected. Obtain permission from the original figure source.