Nitrogen makes up the lion's share of Earth's atmosphere (almost 80%), and is also the primary element in human and animal waste. One of the experts in this segment says nitrogen fertilizer is to blame for the world's overpopulation and environmental problems. Nitrogen can also be volatile – examples of this have been the Halifax Explosion in 1917 and the more recent explosion in Beirut. This Element of Surprise segment features the following experts: Frances Pick, Professor, Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Ottawa; Philip Jessop, Canada Research Chair in Green Chemistry, Queen’s University; and Steffany Bennett, University Research Chair in Neurolipidomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa.

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