Nitrate is produced by nitrification of Ammonium. To monitor and control this process and the subsequent denitrification in a wastewater treatment plant, nitrate is measured among other parameters. As nitrification also takes place in soils, groundwater – which is a main source for drinking water in many places – contains nitrate. The nitrate threshold value for drinking water in Germany is 50 mg/l.
As nitrate is used directly as a nutrient source for vegetable organisms, it is used as fertilizer in agriculture. The high amounts of nitrates in fertilizers are transfered into surface and ground waters leading to eutrophication and therefore higher algae growth, as well as increasing nitrate content in drinking water.
In general, nitrate is harmless for people. In the human body nitrate is formed into nitrite, which can be dangerous to health (see below).
Nitrite occurs in considerably smaller amounts within wastewater treatment plants and soils. It is an intermediate product and oxidized very quickly into nitrate. Nevertheless, in newer cleaning processes of wastewater treatment plants (e.g. Anammox), nitrite is produced intentionally and therefore becomes measureable.
Nitrite is a fish poison and harmful for humans. Besides circulatory disturbances or a drop in the oxygen supply, nitrite is classified as carcinogenic. Due to this, monitoring this parameter is paramount for health and ecological reasons.
NOX is a sum parameter of nitrate (NO3) and nitrite (NO2).
To measure NO3 in wastewater
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For reaent free measurement of NO3, NO2 and NOx in wastewater or rivers
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Measuring syste for every wastewater treatment plant for up to 20 parameters, including NO3, NO2 and NOx.
Multiparameter colorimeter with temperature compensated pH measurement offering more than 10 programs for NO3, NO2 and free Ammonia NH3
Spectral photometer to measure NO3, NO2 and ammonia in the lab
Spectral photometer for reagentfree measurement of NO3, NO2 and ammonia in the lab
Filter photometer with 6 wavelenghts to measure NO3, NO2 and ammonia in the lab
Filter photometer with 12 wavelenghts to measure NO3 and NO2 in the lab
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