Nitrate

Nitrate Latest News

According to a submission by the Central Groundwater Board, over 20% of groundwater samples collected in Delhi in 2023 had nitrate levels exceeding the permissible limit of 45 mg/l.

About Nitrate

• It is a compound of nitrogen and oxygen.
• It is naturally found in air, soil, water, and some food.
• Plants and animals require nitrates for their survival and growth, and the human body also produces this compound.

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Applications of Nitrate

• In industry, nitrate is used as fertilizers for crops and lawns.
• Nitrates are used in food preservation, certain pharmaceutical medications, as well as the manufacture of munitions and explosives. 

Impact of Nitrate Contamination

• It gets into water from fertilizer in runoff, manure from animal feeding operations and wastewater treatment plant discharge.
• Health: Excessive nitrate in groundwater causes methemoglobinemia, reducing the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen, particularly affecting infants and vulnerable populations.
• Environment: Elevated nitrate levels in groundwater can lead to algal blooms in lakes and ponds, severely degrading aquatic ecosystems by depleting oxygen and harming biodiversity.

Source: TOI