Nitrogen flow estimation at the federal university of Sergipe, Brazil

Abstract

This paper discusses the problem of changes in the nitrogen cycle and presents the identification and estimation of annual reactive nitrogen fluxes at the São Cristóvão Campus of the Federal University of Sergipe. Through this study, it was possible to analyze many environmental aspects intrinsically related to campus activities, such as energy consumption, transportation, gardening practices, food consumption, effluent generation and other aspects responsible for various environmental impacts on campus. Based on the identification of the activities as well as on the estimation of the N-emission calculations of said campus, it was verified that the campus is responsible for generating more than 40,000 kg N year^-1, with the largest entrance of N being responsible for about of the total emissions and refers to foods that enter the campus and are consumed in snack bars and restaurants. Considering the three largest emissions estimated on this campus, some preventive alternatives based on concepts and methods of clean technologies and industrial ecology aimed at reducing these emissions were suggested in this paper. The results presented in this study allow the identification of the environmental impacts related to the generation of reactive nitrogen and can act as a guiding instrument for the adoption of environmental and educational policies for the campus.