Can the presence of nitrates affect human health?
People who use wells as a source of drinking water need to monitor the level of nitrates in their well water. If you drink water that is high in nitrates, it can interfere with the ability of your red blood cells to transport oxygen. Infants who drink water high in nitrates may turn “bluish” and appear to have difficulty in breathing since their bodies are not receiving enough oxygen. Just like dissolved oxygen, temperature, and pH, the amount of nitrates in water is determined by both natural processes and human intervention. A body of water may be naturally high in nitrates or have elevated nitrate levels as a result of careless human activities. In this unit, you will be introduced to the concept of nitrates and how nitrates can influence the aquatic environment. The relationship between nitrate and dissolved oxygen levels will be introduced. This unit will also discuss how nitrate levels are influenced by nature as well as man-made processes.
