Chilean Nitrate and the Nitrogen Revolution

R TEGULAR shipments of nitrate of soda from the desert of Atacama began a century since. Peru was then in possession of the great nitrate deposits, the only fields of any consequence in the world. A half century later, in the War of the Pacific, Peru (and Bolivia) lost her right in these valuable mineral lands and the vigorous Republic of Chile assumed ownership. In the past century about two billion dollars' worth of nitrate has been exported, and for decades, the largest source of revenue to the Chilean government has been the export tax of 10 to 12 dollars a ton levied on shipments of nitrate. At times half the revenues of the nation came from this source. As Chile had a complete monopoly of natural nitrate of soda, the Chilean statesmen came to feel that the nitrate revenue was dependable and permanent. The fiscal system of the nation was built around the nitrate tax, and the treasury became dependent upon it. But, the century of nitrate production now ends with nothing short of a revolution. The phenomenal increase in the output of manufactured nitrogen compounds, which actively compete with Chilean nitrate, has not only destroyed the Chilean monopoly but threatens the very life of the great industry. It is another instance of the uncertainty of even seemingly permanent industries. It illustrates the risk that men or nations take when they invest huge sums in an enterprise whose very existence may be endangered or ended by some revolutionary change of man's making. Whereas, in the 1890's, Chilean nitrate supplied about four-fifths of the inorganic nitrogen used in the world, it now supplies less than one-fifth, although the absolute production has kept up nearly to its maximum. Nitrogen is one of the world's fertilizers, for soils, deficient in this essential plant food, must be properly supplied if crops are to be raised, either by growing legumes, or by applying fertilizers containing the element in form available for plant growth. Its use in explosives has made an adequate supply a matter of concern to every nation as a matter of defense. Not only must the supply be adequate; it must be assured against submarine and other offensive warfare; and so no nation dares depend upon Chile as the only source

Biology · Geography · Nitrate · Nitrogen · American Literature and Culture · Chemistry · Ecology · Environmental Science

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