Region oriented and integrated approach to reduce emissions of nutrients and greenhouse gases from agriculture in the Netherlands.

Agricultural practices are causing a variety of environmental impacts such as emissions of ammonia (NH) and greenhouse gases (GHG), and leaching and runoff of nutrients to groundwater and surface water. Measures need to be taken to achieve environmental targets set in European agreements and directives, such as the Birds and Habitats Directives, Nitrates Directive, Water Framework Directive and Fit for 55 package. To explore solutions for these issues an integral approach is needed, in which synergies between measures are included and pollution swapping is avoided.

Emission estimation and prioritization of veterinary pharmaceuticals in manure slurries applied to soil.

Veterinary pharmaceuticals (VPs) are emitted into the environment and transfer to groundwater and surface water is diffuse and complex, whereas actual information on the fate is frequently limited. For 17 VPs of potential concern in the Netherlands, we assessed sources and emission due to animal slurry applications to soil. Hence, we examined the use of VPs in four livestock sectors in the Netherlands for 2015-2018, and quantified animal excretion rates and dissipation during slurry storage.

Spatially explicit boundaries for agricultural nitrogen inputs in the European Union to meet air and water quality targets.

Agricultural production in the EU has increased strongly since the 1940s, partly driven by increased nitrogen (N) fertiliser and manure inputs. Increased N inputs and associated losses, however, adversely affect air and water quality, with widespread impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and human health. Managing these impacts requires knowledge on 'safe boundaries' for N inputs, i.

The Dutch N-cascade in the european perspective.

The Netherlands is "well known" for its nitrogen problems; it has one of the highest reactive nitrogen (Nr) emission densities in the world. It is a small country at the delta of several large European rivers. Ever since the industrial revolution, there has been a growing excess of nutrients and related emissions into the atmosphere (ammonia, nitrogen oxides and nitrous oxide) and into groundwater and surface water (nitrate), leading to a large range of cascading environmental impacts.

The Dutch N-cascade in the European perspective.

The Netherlands is "well known" for its nitrogen problems; it has one of the highest reactive nitrogen (Nr) emission densities in the world. It is a small country at the delta of several large European rivers. Ever since the industrial revolution, there has been a growing excess of nutrients and related emissions into the atmosphere (ammonia, nitrogen oxides and nitrous oxide) and into groundwater and surface water (nitrate), leading to a large range of cascading environmental impacts.

NitroGenius: a nitrogen decision support system. A game to develop the optimal policy to solve the Dutch nitrogen pollution problem.

A nitrogen decision support system in the form of a game (NitroGenius) was developed for the Second International Nitrogen Conference. The aims were to: i) improve understanding among scientists and policy makers about the complexity of nitrogen pollution problems in an area of intensive agricultural, industrial, and transportation activity (The Netherlands); and ii) search for optimal policy solutions to prevent pollution effects at lowest economic and social costs. NitroGenius includes a model of nitrogen flows at relevant spatial and temporal scales including emissions of ammonia and nitrogen oxides and contamination of surface- and groundwaters.