Study Reveals Significant Discrepancies in Nitrogen Pollution Estimates, Impacting Groundwater Protection Strategies

New research from the University of California, Davis, highlights substantial differences across five datasets used to estimate surplus nitrogen from synthetic fertilizers and livestock waste in California's Central Valley. The study, published in Nature Sustainability, found that the wide range of uncertainty in these estimates could alter which crops and regions are prioritized for groundwater protection. The findings emphasize the need for improved data accuracy, potentially through increased engagement with farmers, to inform effective nitrogen management strategies globally.