Abstract
In this paper, we assess the global consequences of implementing first- and second-generation bioenergy in the coming five decades, focusing on the nitrogen cycle. We Use a climate mitigation scenario from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Environmental Outlook, in which a carbon tax is introduced to stimulate production of biofuels from energy crops. In this scenario, the area of energy crops will increase from 8 Mha in the year 2000 to 270 Mha (14% of total cropland) and producing 5.6 Pg dry matter per year (12% of energy use) in 2050. This production requires and additional annual 19 Tg or N fertilizer in 2050 (15% of total), and this causes a global emission of 0.7 Tg or N2O-N (8% of agricultural emissions), 0.2 Tg NO-N (6%), and 2.2 Tg of NH3-N (5%). In addition, we project that 2.6 Tg of NO3 -N will leach from fields under energy crops. The emissions of N2O may be an important term in the greenhouse gas balance of biofuels produced from energy crops.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 101-109 |
Journal | Ecological Applications |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2010 |
Keywords
- biomass energy
- soils
- n2o
- environment
- emissions
- forests
- fields
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Projects
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ESS-CC
Project: Other