Everything about Nitrate totally explained
In
inorganic chemistry, a
nitrate is a
salt of
nitric acid with an
ion composed of one
nitrogen and three
oxygen atoms (NO
3−). In
organic chemistry the
esters of nitric acid and various
alcohols are called nitrates.
Chemical properties
The
nitrate ion is a
polyatomic ion with the
empirical formula NO3− and a
molecular mass of 62.0049. It is the
conjugate base of nitric acid, consisting of one central nitrogen
atom surrounded by three identical oxygen atoms in a
trigonal planar arrangement. The nitrate ion carries a
formal charge of negative one, where each oxygen carries a −2/3 charge while the nitrogen carries a +1 charge, and is commonly used as an example of
resonance. The three canonical structures of the nitrate ion are shown resonating below:
Almost all inorganic nitrate salts are
soluble in
water at
standard temperature and pressure.
In
organic chemistry a nitrate is a
functional group with general chemical formula RONO
2 where R stands for any organic residue. They are the
esters of nitric acid and
alcohols formed by
nitroxylation. Examples are
methyl nitrate formed by reaction of
methanol and nitric acid, the nitrate of
tartaric acid, and the inappropriately named
nitroglycerin.
Related materials
Nitrates shouldn't be confused with
nitrites (NO
2−) the salts of
nitrous acid.
Organic compounds containing the nitro
functional group (which has the same formula and structure as the nitrate ion save that one of the O
− atoms is replaced by the R group) are known as
nitro compounds.
Effects on aquatic life
In
freshwater or
estuarine systems close to land, nitrate can reach high levels that can potentially cause the death of fish. While nitrate is much less toxic than ammonia or nitrite, levels over 30 ppm of nitrate can inhibit growth, impair the immune system and cause stress in some aquatic species. However, in light of inherent problems with past protocols on acute nitrate toxicity experiments, the extent of nitrate toxicity has been the subject of recent debate.
In most cases of excess nitrate concentrations in aquatic systems, the primary source is
surface runoff from agricultural or
landscaped areas which have received excess nitrate fertilizer. These levels of nitrate can also lead to algae blooms, and when nutrients become limiting (such as potassium, phosphate or nitrate) then
eutrophication can occur. As well as leading to water
anoxia, these blooms may cause other changes to
ecosystem function, favouring some groups of organisms over others. Consequently, as nitrates form a component of
total dissolved solids, they're widely used as an indicator of
water quality.
Nitrates are also a by-product of
septic systems. Specifically, they're a naturally occurring chemical that's left after the break down or decomposition of animal or human waste. Water quality may also be affected through ground water resources that have a high number of septic systems in a watershed. Septics leach down into ground water resources or aquifers and supply near by bodies of water. Lakes that rely on ground water are often affected by nitrification through this process.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Nitrate'.
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