Consider the following statements:
1. Agricultural soils release nitrogen oxides into environment.
2. Cattle release ammonia into environment.
3. Poultry industry releases reactive nitrogen compounds into environment.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Agricultural soils are the dominant anthropogenic source of reactive nitrogen emissions. The microbial processes of nitrification and denitrification acting on synthetic nitrogenous fertilizers and crop residues release nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitric oxide (NO) into the atmosphere.
Statement 2 is correct: Ruminant livestock, especially cattle, excrete urea and organic nitrogen through manure and urine. Rapid enzymatic hydrolysis of this waste breaks down into and releases gaseous ammonia (NH3) into the environment.
Statement 3 is correct: The intensive poultry industry produces large quantities of litter and droppings rich in uric acid, releasing substantial volumes of reactive nitrogen compounds (including ammonia, nitrous oxide, and nitrate run-off) into air and aquatic ecosystems.
Therefore, all three statements are correct — Option D.