Nutrients are chemical substances found in every living thing on Earth. Managing and regulating the amount of nutrients entering the environment helps achieve the global sustainable development agenda
Nutrients are natural chemical substances that are essential to sustaining life. Macronutrients are needed in greatest supply by plants and include: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Micronutrients are needed in small amounts and include copper, iron, and many others. These nutrients are essential for plant growth, food production, soil health, and ultimately adequate nutrition for humans. Human activities cause a change in the world’s nutrient flows, leading to an excess of nutrients in some parts of the world, while in other parts, a deficit.
Discussions on nutrient management tend to focus on N and P - half of the world’s food security is dependent on them. Nitrogen pollution especially impacts the marine environment, where excess nitrogen can lead to eutrophication, algae blooms and oceanic dead zones. Sustainably managing and regulating the amount of nutrients that enter the environment plays an important role in achieving the global sustainable development agenda.
