Load of soil and water by atmospheric nitrogen deposition

After comprehensive retrofitting of power plants with flue gas desulfurization systems has been completed in Germany, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ammonia became the most important air pollutants. Pollution control measures to reduce the release of these substances which predominantly originate from traffic and agriculture had only marginal success. Some way or other, emissions into the atmosphere return to the ground and entail here generally harmful side effects. After introductory remarks on nitrogen as an air contaminant, the present potential in the derivation of emittor/receptor-relationships for nitrogen compounds are described. Subsequently, the nitrogen deposition rates are quantified and evaluated. (orig.)