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Nitrate is a polyatomic ion with the chemical formula NO − 3. Salts containing this ion are called nitrates. Nitrates are common components of fertilizers and explosives. [1] Almost all inorganic nitrates are soluble in water. An example of an insoluble nitrate is bismuth oxynitrate.
However, it is possible to design systems in which nitrite is formed (the Sharon process). Nitrification is important in agricultural systems, where fertilizer is often applied as ammonia. Conversion of this ammonia to nitrate increases nitrogen leaching because nitrate is more water-soluble than ammonia.
Direct reduction from nitrate to ammonium, a process known as dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium or DNRA, [6] is also possible for organisms that have the nrf-gene. [ 7 ] [ 8 ] This is less common than denitrification in most ecosystems as a means of nitrate reduction.
Elevated nitrate in groundwater is a concern for drinking water use because nitrate can interfere with blood-oxygen levels in infants and cause methemoglobinemia or blue-baby syndrome. [28] Where groundwater recharges stream flow, nitrate-enriched groundwater can contribute to eutrophication , a process that leads to high algal population and ...
A small amount of the nitrate added to meat as a preservative breaks down into nitrite, in addition to any nitrite that may also be added. The nitrite then reacts with protein-rich foods (such as meat) to produce carcinogenic NOCs (nitroso compounds). NOCs can be formed either when meat is cured or in the body as meat is digested. [20]
The most common denitrification process is outlined below, with the nitrogen oxides being converted back to gaseous nitrogen: 2 NO 3 − + 10 e − + 12 H + → N 2 + 6 H 2 O. The result is one molecule of nitrogen and six molecules of water. Denitrifying bacteria are a part of the N cycle, and consists of sending the N back into the atmosphere.
The chemical element nitrogen is one of the most abundant elements in the universe and can form many compounds. It can take several oxidation states; but the most common oxidation states are -3 and +3. Nitrogen can form nitride and nitrate ions. It also forms a part of nitric acid and nitrate salts.
Nitrogen assimilation is the formation of organic nitrogen compounds like amino acids from inorganic nitrogen compounds present in the environment. Organisms like plants, fungi and certain bacteria that can fix nitrogen gas (N 2) depend on the ability to assimilate nitrate or ammonia for their needs.