Plants cannot use atmospheric nitrogen). However, bacteria in the soil can " fix" nitrogen, combining it with hydrogen to form nitrates (NH), which can then be absorbed and used by plants. Chemical fertilizers provide nitrogen for plants in the form of nitrates. Not all nitrates applied to the soil feed plants; much of it is lost to runoff and by leaching into and through the subsoil to the groundwater. Nitrates are also a bi-product of animal waste. They can be toxic to humans and other organisms; and combined with some common pesticides, they can be carcinogenic. Over time nitrates reaching bodies of water will cause eutrophication, which feeds excessive algal growth. Algea can multiply rapidly, consuming the water's oxygen. Eutrophied water drowns fish and chokes plant growth. Farms and homeowners are the major contributors of nitrate poisoning.
Nitrates can be described like phosphates but are more plentiful in nature. They too are necessary to life processes. Too little available and organisms cannot live. Too much allows things like water plants to grow to well (algae blooms), crowding out other life forms like water animals. Drinking water with high nitrate levels (above 10 part per million) can result in human health problems. Sources include decomposing plants and animals and their wastes, fertilizers, certain bacteria.
preservatives commonly found in salt-cured, smoked, and salt-pickled foods that may convert to nitrites.
A family of chemically stable forms of inorganic nitrogen, formed as part of the natural breakdown of organic matter, ingested in vegetables and absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
One form of nitrogen that plants can take up through their roots and use for growth.
a vital nutrient for algae that can stimulate growth and lead to higher consumption of chlorine. The presence of nitrates in swimming pool water is undesirable. especially at levels above 10-25 PPM. Nitrates can find their way into swimming pool water from: well water contaminated by agricultural runoff, decaying plant matter, urine, sweat, fertilizers, acid rain, wind-blown matter, bird droppings and contamination with ground runoff. While it is possible to remove nitrates with ion-exchange resins, it may not be a cost effective method. Replacement of all or part of the pool water is the most common method of removal. Click here for some ordering information about Nitrate Test Kits.
commonly occurring group of substances (found in foods, medications, drinking water and cigarette smoke) linked to cancer and other conditions.
compounds containing nitrogen as nitrates; found in animal wastes, fertilizers and septic tanks or untreated wastewater.
Plant nutrient and fertilizer that enters water supply sources from fertilizers, animal feed lots, manures, sewage, septic systems, industrial wastewaters, sanitary landfills, and garbage dumps.
Inorganic compounds that can enter water supplies from fertilizer runoff and sanitary wastewater discharges. Nitrates in drinking water are associated with methemoglobinemia, or blue baby syndrome, which results from interferences in the blood's ability to carry oxygen.
A salt or ester of nitric acid, such as potassium nitrate or sodium nitrate, both used as fertilizers, and which show up in water supplies as pollution.
An oxidized ion of nitrogen. The presence of nitrates indicates the final stages of the end of the nitrogen cycle. Nitrates can be checked with a nitrite or nitrate test kit. The level should not exceed 10 ppm. Nitrate causes algae to bloom and disables free available chlorine. Nitrites are often reduced to nitrates in pool water by bacteria and algae. Humans, rain bringing in smog and NOx, bird droppings and fertilizer run off are the most common sources. They are not oxidizable and are not destroyed by Superchlorination or non-chlorine oxidizers. Draining and refilling is the only practical way to lower them. Keeping free chlorine in the water at all times destroys the precursors to nitrate formation.
Chemicals made up of oxygen, nitrogen and other elements. When chemicals containing nitrogen (for example, ammonia) combine with water, nitrates are usually formed, and these nitrates can cause serious illness or even death if large amounts are consumed. Nitrate poisoning is usually caused by drinking water contaminated with nitrates. The primary sources of nitrate pollution are human waste and manure, especially runoff from factory farms. Processed meat also often contains nitrates, which are used to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and to enhance the color. Eating meat that has been treated with nitrates may cause health problems including cancer, migraines, high cholesterol and hyperactivity.
those gases and aerosols that have origins in the gas-to-aerosol conversion of nitrogen oxides, e.g., NO2; of primary interest are nitric acid and ammonium nitrate. Ammonium nitrate is very hygroscopic so its contribution to visibility impairment is magnified in the presence of water vapor.
A nitrogen-containing compound that is water soluble and mobile in the environment. Nitrates are toxic at elevated concentrations (public health standard set at 10 parts per million). Groundwater nitrate contamination can present a threat to public health.
The group of aerosols that originate as nitrogen dioxide gas and are converted to aerosols in the atmosphere.
nitrogen compounds, often the limiting nutrients in aquatic systems, that can be toxic to aquatic and human life under certain conditions; the addition of nitrates can lead to increased aquatic plant growth; high levels can indicate sewage, animal manure, fertilizer, and other types of contamination
Nitrates are a major concern, with regard to manure contamination of drinking water, since nitrates can cause a health problem known as blue baby syndrome in infants under six months of age and a similar condition in young livestock. Nitrates may also affect adults, but the symptoms are less certain. FACT: Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources estimates that 10% of the state's wells exceed the federal drinking water standard of 10 ppm of nitrates; that is approximately 70,000 contaminated wells in Wisconsin alone. Similar results have been found in other Midwestern states. SOURCE: Nutrient and Pesticide Best Management Practices for Wisconsin Farms. NOTE: Commercial fertilizers are also a potential source of nitrates in groundwater.
and nitrites: chemicals used as curing agents, coloring, and flavoring in meats. Nitrates and nitrites are also present in human saliva and in drinking water contaminated by farmland fertilizers. Although the nitrates and nitrites in saliva are not harmful, those in drinking water and meats have been linked to stomach cancer.
A type of salt composed of nitrogen and oxygen [ edit
A dissolved form of nitrogen found in fertilizers and sewage by-products which may leach into groundwater and other water sources. Nitrates may also occur naturally in some waters. Over time, nitrates can accumulate in aquifers and contaminate groundwater.
preservatives containing any salt or ester of nitric acid; persons sensitive to nitrates may suffer from headache, diarrhea, or urticaria after ingesting them