Total Nitrogen: Sources of emissions
Industry sources
Emissions to surface water or groundwater from food processing industries, Sewage treatment plants, Leachate from garbage tips, Intensive livestock industries for example: feedlots, large poultry operations.
Diffuse sources, and industry sources included in diffuse emissions data
Catchment runoff - the organic-nitrogen components of total nitrogen are typically derived from soil, plant and animal material associated with agricultural land uses.
Fertilisers (e.g. ammonium nitrate) and manures.
Urban runoff, e.g. home fertiliser use.
Natural sources
The organic-nitrogen components of total nitrogen are typically derived from soil, plant and animal material.
Transport sources
Exhaust emissions from automobile use contain oxides of nitrogen which will be dissolved by rain, and thereby enter streams, lakes, and other water bodies.
Consumer products
Most food products contain nitrogen in various organic and inorganic forms. Many vegetables and fruits, such as spinach, beetroot, lettuce radish and rhubarb contain relatively high levels of nitrate. While meat, fish and dairy products contain significant amounts of organic-nitrogen as proteins, they generally contain lower amounts of nitrate and nitrite than fruits or vegetables. Cured meats and sausages which are commonly preserved with sodium nitrite and nitrate, are another significant source of nitrate and nitrite in most diets. Lawn and garden fertilisers contain nitrates. Furniture- and floor-polish, and household cleaners may contain nitrites. Water may also be a significant contributor to the intake of nitrate-nitrogen, particularly where the supply is derived from groundwater or polluted surface water.
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