PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

UEA research reveals how farmers could mitigate nitrous oxide emissions

2013-11-19
(Press-News.org) Contact information: Lisa Horton
l.horton@uea.ac.uk
01-603-593-496
University of East Anglia
UEA research reveals how farmers could mitigate nitrous oxide emissions Farmers may be able to help reduce emissions of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) by incorporating copper into crop fertilisation processes – according to new research from the University of East Anglia.

Global agricultural emissions of the gas have increased by 20 per cent in the last century as a result of widespread use of nitrogen-based synthetic fertilizers.

But new research into the processes of nutrient cycling published today reveals how farmers could mitigate the effects of this harmful gas by boosting copper levels in fields.

Lead researcher Prof David Richardson, from UEA's school of Biological Sciences, said: "The increase in nitrous oxide in the atmosphere is largely the result of changing agricultural practices to more intensive, large scale production systems. Rapid population growth and the constant need for greater crop yields have fuelled the change.

"Agricultural N2O emissions have increased significantly and continue to rise. It is a big problem because it is a potent greenhouse gas. Molecule for molecule its potential to cause global warming is 300 times more than carbon dioxide. And it is behind almost one tenth of global radiative forcing by greenhouse gasses. But how to regulate these emissions has been poorly understood until now."

The research team investigated a process called denitrification – a series of chemical reactions in bacteria that happen in conditions where oxygen levels are low and quantities of nitrate are high.

"Farmed soil is a prime example of such a condition, and what happens is that bacteria respire nitrate as a substitute for oxygen. We found that the gene in nitrate-utilising soil bacteria, responsible for the destruction of nitrous oxide, can be regulated when copper is added.

"So farmers could control N2O emissions by judicious use of copper in fertilizer regimes. Copper fertilizer is already used in areas where soil is copper deficient so it is already on the market.

"The next stage of research will be to compare N2O emissions from soil that is naturally high in copper, with that which is naturally low. We will also look at quantity and frequency of application."

The next stage of the project will be part of a recently announced five million euro study into nitrous oxide production and consumption in bacteria. The Nitrous Oxide Research Alliance (NORA) is a trans-European group, of which UEA is a member.

### 'Copper control of bacterial nitrous oxide emission and its impact on vitamin B12 dependent metabolism' by Matthew John Sullivan, Andrew J Gates, Corinne Appia-Ayme, Gary Rowley and David J Richardson is published in the journal PNAS on November 18. It was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Underwater 'tree rings'

2013-11-19
Underwater 'tree rings' Calcite crusts of arctic algae record 650 years of sea ice change Almost 650 years of annual change in sea-ice cover can been seen in the calcite crust growth layers of seafloor algae, says a new study from the University of Toronto Mississauga ...

Among patients with recent ACS, use of enzyme inhibitor does not reduce risk of cardiovascular event

2013-11-19
Among patients with recent ACS, use of enzyme inhibitor does not reduce risk of cardiovascular event Chicago – Stephen J. Nicholls, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and University of Adelaide, Adelaide, ...

In enzyme's isoforms, hope for developing heart drugs that improve contractility, prevent SCD

2013-11-19
In enzyme's isoforms, hope for developing heart drugs that improve contractility, prevent SCD (SALT LAKE CITY)—Drugs known as PDE3 inhibitors save many lives by helping failing hearts do a better job of pumping blood. But those same medications come with ...

National study finds renal stenting does not improve outcomes for renal artery stenosis patients

2013-11-19
National study finds renal stenting does not improve outcomes for renal artery stenosis patients Rhode Island Hospital researchers play lead roles in study; will present findings at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association PROVIDENCE, R.I. – According to the findings ...

2 studies on the use of breast MRI

2013-11-19
2 studies on the use of breast MRI CHICAGO – The overall use of breast magnetic resonance imaging has increased, with the procedure most commonly used for diagnostic evaluations and screenings, according to a study published by JAMA Internal Medicine, a JAMA ...

Beta-blockers before surgery appear associated with lower risk of heart-related events

2013-11-19
Beta-blockers before surgery appear associated with lower risk of heart-related events Giving beta-blocker medication to patients with heart disease undergoing noncardiac surgery appears to be associated with a lower risk of death and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) ...

Poorer, rural counties have lower CPR training rates

2013-11-19
Poorer, rural counties have lower CPR training rates Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training appears to be lower in more rural counties, those with higher proportions of black and Hispanic residents and lower household incomes, and in the South, Midwest ...

Drinking more milk as a teenager does not lower risk of hip fracture later

2013-11-19
Drinking more milk as a teenager does not lower risk of hip fracture later Drinking more milk as a teenager apparently does not lower the risk of hip fracture as an older adult and instead appears to increase that risk for men, according to a study published by ...

Preterm birth risk increases for pregnant women exposed to phthalates

2013-11-19
Preterm birth risk increases for pregnant women exposed to phthalates The odds of preterm delivery appear to increase for pregnant women exposed to phthalates, chemicals people are exposed to through contaminated food and water and in a variety of products ...

Gene plays major role in suppressing cancer

2013-11-19
Gene plays major role in suppressing cancer Adelaide researchers have found that a specific gene plays an important role in suppressing lymphoma, a type of blood cell cancer. The caspase-2 gene is related to a family of proteins that are essential for ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Thirty-year mystery of dissonance in the “ringing” of black holes explained

Less intensive works best for agricultural soil

Arctic rivers project receives “national champion” designation from frontiers foundation

Computational biology paves the way for new ALS tests

Study offers new hope for babies born with opioid withdrawal syndrome

UT, Volkswagen Group of America celebrate research partnership

New Medicare program could dramatically improve affordability for cancer drugs – if patients enroll

Are ‘zombie’ skin cells harmful or helpful? The answer may be in their shapes

University of Cincinnati Cancer Center presents research at AACR 2025

Head and neck, breast, lung and survivorship studies headline Dana-Farber research at AACR Annual Meeting 2025

AACR: Researchers share promising results from MD Anderson clinical trials

New research explains why our waistlines expand in middle age

Advancements in muon detection: Taishan Antineutrino Observatory's innovative top veto tracker

Chips off the old block

Microvascular decompression combined with nerve combing for atypical trigeminal neuralgia

Cutting the complexity from digital carpentry

Lung immune cell type “quietly” controls inflammation in COVID-19

Fiscal impact of expanded Medicare coverage for GLP-1 receptor agonists to treat obesity

State and sociodemographic trends in US cigarette smoking with future projections

Young adults drive historic decline in smoking

NFCR congratulates Dr. Robert C. Bast, Jr. on receiving the AACR-Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research

Chimpanzee stem cells offer new insights into early embryonic development

This injected protein-like polymer helps tissues heal after a heart attack

FlexTech inaugural issue launches, pioneering interdisciplinary innovation in flexible technology

In Down syndrome mice, 40Hz light and sound improve cognition, neurogenesis, connectivity

Methyl eugenol: potential to inhibit oxidative stress, address related diseases, and its toxicological effects

A vascularized multilayer chip reveals shear stress-induced angiogenesis in diverse fluid conditions

AI helps unravel a cause of Alzheimer's disease and identify a therapeutic candidate

Coalition of Autism Scientists critiques US Department of Health and Human Services Autism Research Initiative

Structure dictates effectiveness, safety in nanomedicine

[Press-News.org] UEA research reveals how farmers could mitigate nitrous oxide emissions