Nitrogen deposition refers to the processes by which nitrogen from reactive nitrogen compounds in the air is deposited onto soil and into water. This does not include the nitrogen gas (N2) that is naturally present in the air; this form of nitrogen is inert and remains in the air. Reactive nitrogen compounds are released into the air through emissions. The main forms are ammonia (NH3) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). All the ammonia and nitrogen oxides emitted by various sources (agriculture, traffic, industry) eventually end up in the land or in water.
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