Nitrates are nitrogen compounds that occur naturally in the soil, but also are found in our water sources come from fertilisers, livestock manure, industrial and wastewater contamination. Nitrate is highly soluble in water and cannot be readily filtered out.
Fertilization in today’s agriculture has led to high nitrate concentrations in surface and ground water. Authorities in Europe have introduced nitrate limits for drinking water.
- EU: 50 mg/l
- CH: 25 mg/l
- AU: 50mg/l
Even a small amount of nitrate in drinking water can pose a health risk!
Nitrate and nitrite ions are also naturally occurring, with the nitrite ion being relatively unstable. Nitrate is formed from the oxidation of organic wastes such as manure, by the action of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in soils, or from lightning strikes through air in addition to their manufacture for use in explosives and inorganic fertilisers. Intensification of farming practices and sewage effluent disposal to streams have led to increasing amounts of nitrate in some waters, particularly groundwater. Food, particularly vegetables and cured meat, is the major source of nitrate intake for humans. Nitrite can be converted to ammonia.
One of its impacts on the body, is the conversion of haemoglobin in our blood into methemoglobin, which cannot carry oxygen. Even a small amount of nitrate in drinking water can pose a health risk!
Sigrist ColorPlus 3 offers you online measurement of nitrate. This analyser will detect Nitrate concentration in real time to alert you of Nitrates exceeding safe levels. The Sigrist Nitrate analyser will detect Nitrate concentration in real time to alert you of Nitrates exceeding safe levels. What has proven difficult for this science in the past is the proximity of dissolved organics at a close wavelength of absorption. Sigrist has developed the technology to discriminate between the 2 compounds, including a compensation for any organics that are present in the water. As a light source, a long-lived xenon flash lamp is used having an exceptionally low loss of intensity over a long time! The medium is measured with two optical path lengths from which any soiling is determined. The value measured is automatically corrected and the instrument informs the user when the measuring cell must be cleaned. The PVC cover can be removed without tools. Free access to the optics allows simple cleaning of the measuring cell. The instrument indicates any maintenance due. The control unit SICON selectively displays values, graphs, status and alarms on state-of-the-art touchscreen technology and colour display. Internal data storage allows the visualization of the measurements over the last 32 days. The instrument is used in the treatment of drinking water.
About ProDetec
ProDetec was established in 2003 and is a quality ISO9001 company with an extensive client base throughout Australia and New Zealand. ProDetec is focused on client satisfaction and process efficiency. We have in-house and on-site service & commissioning capabilities and a team of qualified engineers.