Atmospheric Deposition of Nitrogen

Abstract

Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient. Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen, which has substantially increased in recent decades due to human activities, is harmful to ecosystems, disturbing the nitrogen biogeochemical cycle, and resulting in acidification, eutrophication, and changes in biodiversity. Nitrogen species, both in reduced and oxidized forms contributing to nitrogen deposition and their transformations are described, and nitrogen monitoring activities in the Czech Republic are summarized. Moreover, the major problems to be tackled are highlighted.