6 results
19 - Nitrogen as a threat to the European greenhouse balance
- from Part IV - Managing nitrogen in relation to key societal threats
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- By Klaus Butterbach-Bahl, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eiko Nemitz, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Sönke Zaehle, Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Gilles Billen, University Pierre & Marie Curie, Pascal Boeckx, Ghent University, Jan Willem Erisman, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands, Josette Garnier, UMR Sisyphe UPMC & CNRS, Rob Upstill-Goddard, UMR Sisyphe UPMC & CNRS, Michael Kreuzer, ETH Zurich Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Science, Oene Oenema, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Stefan Reis, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Martijn Schaap, TNO Built Environment and Geosciences, David Simpson, Norwegian Meteorological Institute, Wim de Vries, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wilfried Winiwarter, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Mark A. Sutton, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
- Edited by Mark A. Sutton, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK, Clare M. Howard, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK, Jan Willem Erisman, Gilles Billen, Albert Bleeker, Peringe Grennfelt, Hans van Grinsven, Bruna Grizzetti
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- Book:
- The European Nitrogen Assessment
- Published online:
- 16 May 2011
- Print publication:
- 14 April 2011, pp 434-462
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Summary
Executive summary
Nature of the problem
Reactive nitrogen (Nr) is of fundamental importance in biological and chemical processes in the atmosphere–biosphere system, altering the Earth's climate balance in many ways. These include the direct and indirect emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), atmospheric Nr deposition and tropospheric ozone formation (O3), both of which alter the biospheric CO2 sink, Nr supply effects on CH4 emissions, and the formation of secondary atmospheric aerosols resulting from the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ammonia (NH3).
Human production and release of Nr into the environment is thus expected to have been an important driver of European greenhouse balance. Until now, no assessment has been made of how much of an effect European Nr emissions are having on net warming or cooling.
Approaches
This chapter summarizes current knowledge of the role of Nr for global warming. Particular attention is given to the consequences of atmospheric Nr emissions. The chapter draws on inventory data and review of the literature to assess the contribution of anthropogenic atmospheric Nr emissons to the overall change in radiative forcing (between 1750 and 2005) that can be attributed to activities in Europe.
The use of Nr fertilizers has major additional effects on climate balance by allowing increased crop and feed production and larger populations of livestock and humans, but these indirect effects are not assessed here.
13 - Nitrogen flows from European regional watersheds to coastal marine waters
- from Part III - Nitrogen flows and fate at multiple spatial scales
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- By Gilles Billen, University Pierre & Marie Curie, Marie Silvestre, CNRS – FR3020 FIRE, Bruna Grizzetti, European Commission Joint Research Centre, Adrian Leip, European Commission Joint Research Centre, Josette Garnier, UMR Sisyphe UPMC & CNRS, Maren Voss, Leibniz-Institute of Baltic Sea Research Warnemuende, Robert Howarth, Cornell University, Fayçal Bouraoui, European Commission Joint Research Centre, Ahti Lepistö, Finnish Environment Institute, Pirkko Kortelainen, Finnish Environment Institute, Penny Johnes, University of Reading, Chris Curtis, University College London Environmental Change Research Centre, Christoph Humborg, Stockholm University, Erik Smedberg, Stockholm University, Øyvind Kaste, Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Raja Ganeshram, University of Edinburgh, Arthur Beusen, Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, Christiane Lancelot, Université Libre de Bruxelles
- Edited by Mark A. Sutton, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK, Clare M. Howard, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK, Jan Willem Erisman, Gilles Billen, Albert Bleeker, Peringe Grennfelt, Hans van Grinsven, Bruna Grizzetti
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- Book:
- The European Nitrogen Assessment
- Published online:
- 16 May 2011
- Print publication:
- 14 April 2011, pp 271-297
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Summary
Executive summary
Nature of the problem
Most regional watersheds in Europe constitute managed human territories importing large amounts of new reactive nitrogen.
As a consequence, groundwater, surface freshwater and coastal seawater are undergoing severe nitrogen contamination and/or eutrophication problems.
Approaches
A comprehensive evaluation of net anthropogenic inputs of reactive nitrogen (NANI) through atmospheric deposition, crop N fixation, fertiliser use and import of food and feed has been carried out for all European watersheds. A database on N, P and Si fluxes delivered at the basin outlets has been assembled.
A number of modelling approaches based on either statistical regression analysis or mechanistic description of the processes involved in nitrogen transfer and transformations have been developed for relating N inputs to watersheds to outputs into coastal marine ecosystems.
Key findings/state of knowledge
Throughout Europe, NANI represents 3700 kgN/km²/yr (range, 0–8400 depending on the watershed), i.e. five times the background rate of natural N2 fixation.
A mean of approximately 78% of NANI does not reach the basin outlet, but instead is stored (in soils, sediments or ground water) or eliminated to the atmosphere as reactive N forms or as N2.
N delivery to the European marine coastal zone totals 810 kgN/km²/yr (range, 200–4000 depending on the watershed), about four times the natural background. In areas of limited availability of silica, these inputs cause harmful algal blooms.
8 - Nitrogen processes in coastal and marine ecosystems
- from Part II - Nitrogen processing in the biosphere
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- By Maren Voss, Leibniz-Institute of Baltic Sea Research Warnemuende, Alex Baker, University of East Anglia, Hermann W. Bange, Leibniz-Institut für Meereswissenschaften, Daniel Conley, Lund University, Sarah Cornell, University of Bristol, Barbara Deutsch, Stockholm University, Anja Engel, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Raja Ganeshram, University of Edinburgh, Josette Garnier, UMR Sisyphe UPMC & CNRS, Ana-Stiina Heiskanen, Finnish Environment Institute, Tim Jickells, University of East Anglia, Christiane Lancelot, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Abigail McQuatters-Gollop, Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science, Jack Middelburg, Utrecht University, Doris Schiedek, National Environmental Research Institute, Caroline P. Slomp, Utrecht University, Daniel P. Conley, Lund University
- Edited by Mark A. Sutton, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK, Clare M. Howard, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK, Jan Willem Erisman, Gilles Billen, Albert Bleeker, Peringe Grennfelt, Hans van Grinsven, Bruna Grizzetti
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- Book:
- The European Nitrogen Assessment
- Published online:
- 16 May 2011
- Print publication:
- 14 April 2011, pp 147-176
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Summary
Executive summary
Nature of the problem
Nitrogen (N) inputs from human activities have led to ecological deteriorations in large parts of the coastal oceans along European coastlines, including harmful algae blooms and anoxia.
Riverine N-loads are the most pronounced nitrogen sources to coasts and estuaries. Other significant sources are nitrogen in atmospheric deposition and fixation.
Approaches
This chapter describes all major N-turnover processes which are important for the understanding of the complexity of marine nitrogen cycling, including information on biodiversity.
Linkages to other major elemental cycles like carbon, oxygen, phosphorus and silica are briefly described in this chapter.
A tentative budget of all major sources and sinks of nitrogen integrated for global coasts is presented, indicating uncertainties where present, especially the N-loss capacity of ocean shelf sediments.
Finally, specific nitrogen problems in the European Regional Seas, including the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, North Sea, and Mediterranean Sea are described.
Key findings/state of knowledge
Today, human activity delivers several times more nitrogen to the coasts compared to the natural background of nitrogen delivery. The source of this is the land drained by the rivers. Therefore, the major European estuaries (e.g. Rhine, Scheldt, Danube and the coastlines receiving the outflow), North Sea, Baltic Sea, and Black Sea as well as some parts of the Mediterranean coastlines are affected by excess nutrient inputs.
Biodiversity is reduced under high nutrient loadings and oxygen deficiency. This process has led to changes in the nutrient recycling in sediments, because mature communities of benthic animals are lacking in disturbed coastal sediments. The recovery of communities may not be possible if high productivity and anoxia persist for longer time periods.
17 - Nitrogen as a threat to European water quality
- from Part IV - Managing nitrogen in relation to key societal threats
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- By Bruna Grizzetti, European Commission Joint Research Centre, Fayçal Bouraoui, European Commission Joint Research Centre, Gilles Billen, University Pierre & Marie Curie, Hans van Grinsven, Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, Ana Cristina Cardoso, European Commission Joint Research Centre, Vincent Thieu, UMR 7619 Sisyphe CNRS/UPMC, Josette Garnier, UMR Sisyphe UPMC & CNRS, Chris Curtis, University College London Environmental Change Research Centre, Robert Howarth, Cornell University, Penny Johnes, University of Reading
- Edited by Mark A. Sutton, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK, Clare M. Howard, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK, Jan Willem Erisman, Gilles Billen, Albert Bleeker, Peringe Grennfelt, Hans van Grinsven, Bruna Grizzetti
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- Book:
- The European Nitrogen Assessment
- Published online:
- 16 May 2011
- Print publication:
- 14 April 2011, pp 379-404
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Summary
Executive summary
Nature of the problem
Anthropogenic increase of nitrogen in water poses direct threats to human and aquatic ecosystems. High nitrate concentrations in drinking water are dangerous for human health. In aquatic ecosystems the nitrogen enrichment produces eutrophication, which is responsible for toxic algal blooms, water anoxia, fish kills and habitat and biodiversity loss.
The continuous nitrogen export to waters reduces the capacity of aquatic ecosystems to absorb, reorganise and adapt to external stress, increasing their vulnerability to future unexpected natural or climate events.
Key findings/state of knowledge
Nitrogen concentrations in European rivers, lakes, aquifers and coastal waters are high in many regions. In addition nitrate concentrations are increasing in groundwaters, threatening the long term quality of the resource.
In Europe, nitrogen pressures occur over large areas, implying elevated costs for meeting the long-term good chemical and ecological water quality requirements. A significant part of the European population could be potentially exposed to high nitrate values in drinking water if adequate treatments were not in place. Furthermore many of European aquatic ecosystems are eutrophic or at risk of eutrophication.
Nitrogen pressures have reduced biodiversity and damaged the resilience of aquatic ecosystems and continue to pose a threat to the aquatic environment and to the provision of goods and services from the aquatic ecosystems.
Even under favourable land use scenarios the nitrogen export to European waters and seas is likely to remain significant in the near future. The effects of climate change on nitrogen export to water are still uncertain.
7 - Nitrogen processes in aquatic ecosystems
- from Part II - Nitrogen processing in the biosphere
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- By Patrick Durand, INRA, France, Lutz Breuer, Institute for Landscape Ecology and Resources Management, Penny J. Johnes, University of Reading, Gilles Billen, University Pierre & Marie Curie, Andrea Butturini, University of Barcelona, Gilles Pinay, University of Birmingham, Hans van Grinsven, Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, Josette Garnier, UMR Sisyphe UPMC ' CNRS, Michael Rivett, University of Birmingham, David S. Reay, University of Edinburgh, Chris Curtis, University College London Environmental Change Research Centre, Jan Siemens, University of Bonn Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation – Soil Sciences, Stephen Maberly, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Øyvind Kaste, Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Christoph Humborg, Stockholm University, Roos Loeb, B-ware Research Centre, Jeroen de Klein, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Josef Hejzlar, Institute of Hydrobiology, Nikos Skoulikidis, Pirkko Kortelainen, Finnish Environment Institute, Ahti Lepistö, Finnish Environment Institute, Richard Wright, Norwegian Institute for Water Research
- Edited by Mark A. Sutton, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK, Clare M. Howard, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK, Jan Willem Erisman, Gilles Billen, Albert Bleeker, Peringe Grennfelt, Hans van Grinsven, Bruna Grizzetti
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- Book:
- The European Nitrogen Assessment
- Published online:
- 16 May 2011
- Print publication:
- 14 April 2011, pp 126-146
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Summary
Executive summary
Nature of the problem
Freshwater ecosystems play a key role in the European nitrogen (N) cycle, both as a reactive agent that transfers, stores and processes N loadings from the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems, and as a natural environment severely impacted by the increase of these loadings.
Approaches
This chapter is a review of major processes and factors controlling N transport and transformations for running waters, standing waters, groundwaters and riparian wetlands.
Key findings/state of knowledge
The major factor controlling N processes in freshwater ecosystems is the residence time of water, which varies widely both in space and in time, and which is sensitive to changes in climate, land use and management.
The effects of increased N loadings to European freshwaters include acidification in semi-natural environments, and eutrophication in more disturbed ecosystems, with associated loss of biodiversity in both cases.
An important part of the nitrogen transferred by surface waters is in the form of organic N, as dissolved organic N (DON) and particulate organic N (PON). This part is dominant in semi-natural catchments throughout Europe and remains a significant component of the total N load even in nitrate enriched rivers.
In eutrophicated standing freshwaters N can be a factor limiting or co-limiting biological production, and control of both N and phosphorus (P) loading is often needed in impacted areas, if ecological quality is to be restored.
Molecular Characterization of Streptococcus Pyogenes Isolates to investigate an outbreak of Puerperal Sepsis
- Josette Raymond, Laurent Schlegel, Fabien Garnier, Anne Bouvet
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- Journal:
- Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology / Volume 26 / Issue 5 / May 2005
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 June 2016, pp. 455-461
- Print publication:
- May 2005
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Objective:
To describe microbiological characteristics and epidemiologic features of an outbreak of postpartum endometritis.
Methods:Various markers were investigated in five patients and three throat carriage isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes obtained during an outbreak of endometritis occurring in a 13-week period. Molecular characterization included biotyping, T-serotyping, emm gene sequence and restriction, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis.
Results:Biotype, T-serotype, and genotypic data (emm analysis, PFGE, and RAPD analysis) revealed a close relationship among the isolates from three patients, suggesting that cross-contamination had occurred. These isolates were biotype 1, T type 28, and emm type 28. The isolates from one patient and one carrier differed from those of the index patient by minor variations of the emm amplicon restriction pattern, PFGE pattern, or RAPD pattern. The remaining isolates were phenotypically and genetically different.
Conclusion:Identification of different isolates demonstrated that different strains may circulate simultaneously during a true outbreak and that the predominant strain might persist for several months.