With the help of Eawag researchers, the Swiss Academy of Sciences have collected facts on the problem of excessive nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in the environment. The two substances originate mainly from agriculture and transport. If the Federal Council's reduction targets are to be met and the negative effects reduced, the causes of the excessive inputs must be tackled urgently, the academies write in the compilation.

Nitrogen by air

Nitrogen emissions mainly are spread through the air. Many habitats in Switzerland are over-fertilised due to excessive nitrogen inputs. On average across Switzerland, 3 to 30 times more nitrogen reaches the soil via the air than under natural conditions; at certain locations, this figure is much higher. Polluted air, polluted groundwater, monotonous habitats - excessive nitrogen inputs are one of the main causes of the decline in biodiversity in Switzerland and result in external costs of CHF 860 to 4,300 million annually.

Phosphorus via water

Phosphorus inputs to water bodies primarily are dissolved in water or bound to solid components. In polluted lakes, there is still a lack of oxygen at depth, which prevents the reproduction of certain fish species. The water quality of many small lakes is impaired.

Less intensive agriculture

The researchers recommend various measures to improve the situation. These include, in particular, adapting agricultural production intensity to the ecological carrying capacity of the site and promoting plant-based versus animal-based foods — both for consumption and production.