Nitrogen within the soil is lost to the atmosphere through volatilisation and denitrification. Volatilisation is the conversion of dissolved ammonia from urine patches into ammonia gas (NH3). Denitrification is the conversion of nitrate to nitrous oxide (N2O) and gaseous nitrogen (N2).
Although these are natural processes, the conversions are considered losses as the nutrients are no longer available for plant uptake. Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas.
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