Measuring Nitrate In Water

Because of this contamination, environmental scientists often measure the concentration of nitrate, NO3-, in water.

Testing kits measure nitrogen in various forms. Nitrogen from nitrate is referred to as nitrate nitrogen, NO3-–N. This helps differentiate it from nitrogen found in other compounds, such as ammonium nitrogen, NH4+–N.

Back Next
replay
Animated illustration of measuring nitrate in water.
Animated illustration of measuring nitrate in water.

© 2017 NMSU Board of Regents. All rights reserved. NMSU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. This project is supported by Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants no. 2010-38422-21211 and 2014-38422-2208 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and by the President’s Fund at New Mexico State University.

NMSU does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, retaliation, serious medical condition, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, spousal affiliation or protected veteran status in its programs and activities as required by equal opportunity/affirmative action regulations and laws and university policy and rules. For more information please read the NMSU Notice of Non-discrimination. (new window)

To view the Privacy Policy (new window).

For web technical issues such as typos, broken links, or other technical problems with the site, please contact NMSU Media Productions.