Analyzing consumer-related nitrogen flows: A case study on food and material use in Austria

摘要: Abstract Nitrogen budgets cover pools and flows of nitrogen (N) contained in human-made goods compounds, which may potentially affect the global cycle consequence human environment. Acknowledging importance food other agricultural products, this paper additionally investigates frequently neglected N related to consumers estimates their magnitude, using Austria 2010 as an example. Specifically, non-food industrial products (synthetic & natural polymers, wood waste), pets, gardens, energy use is considered. Over last five decades, both material consumption have increased distinctly. While supply accounts for 52% total directly consumer-related inflows covered study (66,000 t N a −1 ), also account a considerable share 28% (36,000 t N a ). application gardens (12%) pet (7%) do play role. Quantified outflows are excretion (54%), waste (13%), garden (16%), from pets (10%). The detected balance surplus 34,000 t N a , corresponding 27% inflows, points some accumulation form durable consumer missing flows. analysis focusses on apparent knowledge gaps. Especially involving poorly understood would require better understanding contents waste. This indicates that improvements be possible by providing more complete future all environmental pools.