Global Atmospheric Nitrous Oxide Concentration
Data, Graphs, and Maps
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Chemistry, Earth and Space Sciences, Mathematics
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Provided by Our World in Data
What it is
- This interactive chart allows students to explore the global atmospheric concentration of nitrous oxide (N2O) over time.
- The chart can be customized to show a specific date range (starting in 1750) and can be downloaded.
Teaching tips
Positives
- Students can click the "play" arrow below the chart or table to see how the data has changed over time.
- The resource uses data published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) from the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE).
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should know how to read a line graph.
Differentiation
- This resource could be useful in a discussion about sustainability, the ozone layer, and the impacts of industrial farming.
- Cross-curricular connections could be made with math classes when working with data and graphs.
- Other resources related to this topic include this graph and table on nitrous oxide emissions by sector and this map of nitrous oxide emissions
- Students could research the following questions:
- How potent is nitrous oxide as a greenhouse gas?
- How much nitrous oxide is released from fertilizer and livestock waste lagoons?
- How does fertilizer use contribute to eutrophication and dead zones?
- How potent is nitrous oxide as an ozone-damaging gas?
- How potent is nitrous oxide as a greenhouse gas?
From the scientist review
This resource depicts time series data on the average atmospheric concentration of N2O. Datasets acquired from EEA are accurate and the resource is recommended for teaching.
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