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Nitrogen compounds in natural water—A review
Author(s) -
Feth J. H.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr002i001p00041
Subject(s) - nitrogen , groundwater , environmental chemistry , environmental science , water quality , organic matter , agriculture , nitrogen cycle , precipitation , surface water , natural organic matter , nitrogen fixation , water cycle , chemistry , environmental engineering , water treatment , geology , ecology , biology , geography , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , meteorology
Nitrogen compounds in natural water are significant in public health, agriculture, industry, and geochemistry. The many sources of nitrogen compounds and the deep involvement of nitrogen in the life processes of organisms makes the study of such compounds difficult. The sources include natural aerosols, precipitation, fixation by micro‐organisms in soil and water, decaying organic matter, and animal and industrial wastes, as well as probably undiscovered sources in consolidated and unconsolidated rocks. Nitrogen compounds are both oxidized and reduced by organisms. Some nitrogen compounds are adsorbed on clay. The theoretical end product in water and the compound probably most often determined is NO 3 −1 . The concentration of nitregen compounds ranges from 0.0 to >100 ppm (parts per million) in surface water and from 0.0 to >1000 ppm in groundwater. Seasonal fluctuations occur. Much further research is needed, including improvements in methods of analysis, further investigation of sources, and detailed study of the nitrogen cycle in small drainage basins. (Key words: Geochemistry; quality of water.)