Reactive nitrogen

In the environmental context, reactive nitrogen compounds include the following classes: • oxide gases: nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitrous oxide. Containing oxidized nitrogen, mainly the result of industrial processes and internal combustion engines. • anions: nitrate, nitrite. Nitrate is a common component of fertilizers, e.g. ammonium nitrate. • amine derivatives: ammonia and ammonium salts, urea. Containing reduced nitrogen, these compounds are components of fertilizers. All of these compounds enter into the nitrogen cycle. As a consequence, an excess of Nr can affect the environment relatively quickly. This also means that nitrogen-related problems need to be looked at in an integrated manner. ==See also==