N2O

“The prevalence of N2O use is difficult to quantify but appears to be increasing,” cited one International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health study in 2022.

“Research on N2O harms and application of harm reduction strategies are limited,” but “recreational nitrous oxide use is popular with young people.”

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for life, but when overused in agriculture and other applications it can harm water quality or be emitted as the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, or N2O.

Knowing more about the plant and soil nitrogen cycle can affect emissions of N2O, a gas that accounts for 6% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.

"If you know which genes to target that result in the minimization of N2O or nitrate production, then you have the potential to affect both greenhouse gas-related warming and water quality," Mayes said.