An electrostatic potential map of the nitrate ion. At a point in space the electric potential is the Potential energy per unit of charge that is associated with a static (time-invariant Electric field Areas coloured red are lower in energy than areas coloured yellow. The oxygen atoms carry the majority of the negative charge.

The structure and bonding of the nitrate ion. The N−O bonds are intermediate in length and strength between a single bond and a double bond.

In inorganic chemistry, a nitrate is a salt of nitric acid with an ion composed of one nitrogen and three oxygen atoms (NO₃⁻). Inorganic chemistry is the branch of Chemistry concerned with the properties and behavior of Inorganic compounds This field covers all Chemical compounds A salt, in Chemistry, is defined as the product formed from the neutralisation reaction of Acids and bases. Nitric acid ( H[[nitrate NO3]] also known as Aqua fortis and spirit of nitre, is a highly corrosive and An ion is an Atom or Molecule which has lost or gained one or more Valence electrons giving it a positive or negative electrical charge Nitrogen (ˈnaɪtɹəʤɪn is a Chemical element that has the symbol N and Atomic number 7 and Atomic weight 14 Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the In organic chemistry the esters of nitric acid and various alcohols are called nitrates. Organic chemistry is a discipline within Chemistry which involves the scientific study of the structure properties composition reactions, and preparation Esters are a class of Chemical compounds and Functional groups Esters consist of an inorganic or organic Acid in which at least In Chemistry, an alcohol is any Organic compound in which a Hydroxyl group ( - O[[hydrogen H]]) is bound to a Carbon

Chemical properties

The nitrate ion is a polyatomic ion with the empirical formula NO₃⁻ and a molecular mass of 62. A polyatomic ion is a charged species ( Ion) composed of two or more atoms covalently bonded or of a metal complex that can be considered as acting An ion is an Atom or Molecule which has lost or gained one or more Valence electrons giving it a positive or negative electrical charge Use in chemistry In Chemistry, the empirical formula of a Chemical compound is a simple expression of the relative number of each type of Atom Nitrogen (ˈnaɪtɹəʤɪn is a Chemical element that has the symbol N and Atomic number 7 and Atomic weight 14 Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the The molecular mass (abbreviated m of a substance, more commonly referred to as molecular weight and abbreviated as MW, is the Mass of one 0049. It is the conjugate base of nitric acid, consisting of one central nitrogen atom surrounded by three identical oxygen atoms in a trigonal planar arrangement. Within the Brønsted - Lowry ( protonic) theory of acids and bases, a conjugate acid is the acid member HX of a pair of two compounds that transform History See also Atomic theory, Atomism The concept that matter is composed of discrete units and cannot be divided into arbitrarily tiny In Chemistry, trigonal planar is a Molecular geometry with one atom at the center and three atoms at the corners of a triangle all in one plane The nitrate ion carries a formal charge of negative one, where each oxygen carries a −2/3 charge while the nitrogen carries a +1 charge, and is commonly used as an example of resonance. Chemistry, a formal charge (FC is a Partial charge on an Atom in a Molecule assigned by assuming that Electrons in a Chemical Resonance in Chemistry is a theory used to represent and model certain types of non-classical Molecular structures Resonance is a key component The three canonical structures of the nitrate ion are shown resonating below:

Almost all inorganic nitrate salts are soluble in water at standard temperature and pressure. Solubility is the characteristic Physical property referring to the ability of a given substance the Solute, to dissolve in a Solvent. Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. In Physical sciences standard conditions for temperature and pressure are Standard sets of conditions for experimental measurements to allow comparisons to be made

In organic chemistry a nitrate is a functional group with general chemical formula RONO₂ where R stands for any organic residue. Organic chemistry is a discipline within Chemistry which involves the scientific study of the structure properties composition reactions, and preparation In Organic chemistry, functional groups are specific groups of Atoms within Molecules that are responsible for the characteristic Chemical reactions They are the esters of nitric acid and alcohols formed by nitroxylation. Esters are a class of Chemical compounds and Functional groups Esters consist of an inorganic or organic Acid in which at least In Chemistry, an alcohol is any Organic compound in which a Hydroxyl group ( - O[[hydrogen H]]) is bound to a Carbon Examples are methyl nitrate formed by reaction of methanol and nitric acid,^[1] the nitrate of tartaric acid,^[2] and the inappropriately named nitroglycerin. Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, carbinol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits, is a Chemical compound Tartaric acid is a white crystalline Organic acid. It occurs naturally in many plants particularly Grapes Bananas and Tamarinds and is Nitroglycerin ( NG) ( US spelling also known as nitroglycerine, ( UK Spelling trinitroglycerin, trinitroglycerine

Related materials

Nitrates should not be confused with nitrites (NO₂⁻) the salts of nitrous acid. The nitrite Ion is NO2− The anion is bent being Isoelectronic with O3. Nitrous acid (molecular formula H[[Nitrogen N]] O 2 is a weak and monobasic Acid known only in Solution and in the form of Nitrite Organic compounds containing the nitro functional group (which has the same formula and structure as the nitrate ion save that one of the O⁻ atoms is replaced by the R group) are known as nitro compounds. An organic compound is any member of a large class of Chemical compounds whose Molecules contain Carbon. In Organic chemistry, functional groups are specific groups of Atoms within Molecules that are responsible for the characteristic Chemical reactions Nitro compounds are Organic compounds that contain one or more nitro Functional groups (-2

Effects on aquatic life

In freshwater or estuarine systems close to land, nitrate can reach high levels that can potentially cause the death of fish. Freshwater is a word that refers to bodies of water such as Ponds lakes rivers and streams containing low concentrations of dissolved Salts and other Total dissolved An estuary is a semi-enclosed Coastal body of Water with one or more Rivers or Streams flowing into it and with a free connection to the open While nitrate is much less toxic than ammonia or nitrite,^[3] levels over 30 ppm of nitrate can inhibit growth, impair the immune system and cause stress in some aquatic species. However, in light of inherent problems with past protocols on acute nitrate toxicity experiments, the extent of nitrate toxicity has been the subject of recent debate. ^[4]

In most cases of excess nitrate concentrations in aquatic systems, the primary source is surface runoff from agricultural or landscaped areas which have received excess nitrate fertilizer. Surface runoff is a term used to describe when soil is infiltrated to full capacity and excess Water, from Rain, Snowmelt, or other sources flows Landscape comprises the visible features of an area of land including physical elements such as Landforms living elements of flora and fauna abstract elements such as lighting These levels of nitrate can also lead to algae blooms, and when nutrients become limiting (such as potassium, phosphate or nitrate) then eutrophication can occur. Eutrophication is an increase in chemical Nutrients -- typically compounds containing Nitrogen or Phosphorus -- in an Ecosystem, and may occur As well as leading to water anoxia, these blooms may cause other changes to ecosystem function, favouring some groups of organisms over others. For other uses of the term "hypoxia" see Hypoxia. Hypoxia or oxygen depletion is a phenomenon that occurs in aquatic environments An ecosystem is a natural unit consisting of all plants animals and micro-organisms( Biotic factors in an area functioning together with all of the non-living physical ( Consequently, as nitrates form a component of total dissolved solids, they are widely used as an indicator of water quality. Total Dissolved Solids (often abbreviated TDS) is an expression for the combined content of all Inorganic and organic substances contained in a liquid Water quality is the physical chemical and biological characteristics of Water in relationship to a set of standards

Nitrates are also a by-product of septic systems. Description A septic tank generally consists of tanks between the size of 1000 and 2000 gallons (4000 - 7500 litres which is connected to an inlet wastewater pipe at one end and Specifically, they are a naturally occurring chemical that is left after the break down or decomposition of animal or human waste. Water quality may also be affected through ground water resources that have a high number of septic systems in a watershed. Septics leach down into ground water resources or aquifers and supply near by bodies of water. Lakes that rely on ground water are often affected by nitrification through this process.

See also

• Ammonium
• f-ratio
• Nitrification
• Nitrate overview:

External links

• ATSDR - Case Studies in Environmental Medicine - Nitrate/Nitrite Toxicity

References