Nitrates
Nitrogen is abundant in the Earth’s atmosphere and is present in water in the form of nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia. Plants use nitrogen as a nutrient to build proteins by tracking it in through their root system. Nitrate is formed in water mainly through rainfall, decomposition of organic matter, and runoff from man-made pollutants such as sewage waste and fertilizers. Almost all surface waters have a measurable level of nitrate, and a moderate amount is considered beneficial. Large amounts of nitrate, however, can lead to eutrophication which may result in decreased levels of dissolved oxygen in the water.
Effective monitoring and control of parameters such as ammonia, nitrate, total nitrogen and total reactive phosphorus allow plant managers to profile and improve the health of aquatic ecosystems. By accurately monitoring levels of each specific pollutant, operational parameters can be adjusted to maintain high efficiency of biodegradation treatments while also minimizing costs.
When a treatment plant uses processes like nitrification and denitrification, it is important to monitor and maintain the equilibrium between ammonia nitrogen, nitrate and total nitrogen during the bio-treatment. The nitrogen level is important because it relates to the quantity of oxygen provided in the nitrification area. Ammonia is also controlled because it can become very toxic for the bacteria responsible for denitrification.
Nitrites
Nitrites can be harmful to aquatic organisms even in low concentrations and for this reason, they are closely monitored in aquaculture facilities. Excessive nitrite is toxic to fish. When nitrite interacts with hemoglobin the iron becomes oxidized and the blood cell can no longer carry oxygen.
In cooling towers, however, an adequate amount of nitrites is necessary to prevent corrosion. In high concentrations, they can be harmful to the environment and to humans. They are, therefore, normally monitored to verify the quality of water for domestic use, as well as lakes and ponds.
Nitrites are an intermediate product in the nitrogen cycle and are produced by ammonia oxidation with water, or even originate in industrial waste directly. They must not be present in drinking water.
