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Only included when using the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) approach.

Definition

This category measures nutrient enrichment of soils leading to ecosystem disturbances. It is expressed in mol N eq.

Environmental Mechanism

Deposition of airborne nitrogen compounds from agriculture and combustion sources can alter plant communities and soil chemistry.

Calculation in GREENZERO Journey

  1. Quantify emissions of ammonia and nitrogen oxides to air.
  2. Apply ILCD characterization factors (mol N eq).
  3. Sum across the life cycle.
About ReCiPe 2016ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes.The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations.ReCiPe 2016 aggregates terrestrial eutrophication within Acidification, so this category is unique to PEF.

Environmental Cost Conversion

No CE Delft cost factor is available yet. Results remain in mol N eq.

Example Calculation

Impact = 0.3 mol N eq

Interpretation

High values indicate substantial nitrogen emissions contributing to soil nutrient imbalance.

Reduction Strategies

  • Optimize fertilizer use
  • Reduce NOx emissions from combustion

Data Quality Considerations

  • Regional deposition models affect results
  • Acidification Potential
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