What is the importance of nitrate in water?

Answer 1

Nitrate is very important for plants as it is a source of nitrogen which forms the building blocks of molecules such as amino acids and DNA. Therefore it is added to water via fertilizer. However, too much can be bad as it can cause leaching into groundwater and pollute the environment. It can also cause eutrophication so levels have to be monitored very tightly. In humans, too much nitrate is associated with diseases such as blue baby syndrome so there are strict guilines on the levels of nitrate allowed in water. The current EU standard is 50mg/l.

Answer 2

Nitrate in water can come from fertilizers, sewage, and natural sources. It is important to monitor nitrate levels in drinking water as high concentrations can be harmful to human health, especially for infants, causing methemoglobinemia or "blue baby syndrome". Nitrate contamination can also lead to eutrophication in water bodies, affecting aquatic ecosystems.