Nitrate and Phosphate

Water Quality Nitrate Phosphate

Methemoglobinemia is a condition caused by 1.Nitrites reacting with hemoglobin to produce methemoglobin which destroys blood cells ability to carry oxygen. 2.Blue babies not breathing 3.Phosphate reacting with hemoglobin to produce methemoglobin which destroys blood cells ability to carry oxygen 4.Contamination of fecal coliform in drinking water

Nitrite and Blue Baby Syndrome - Methehemoglobinemia

Drinking water standards For drinking water: – Nitrate (NO3): 45mg/L – Nitrate Nitrogen: 10mg/L – According to the EPA and California State Water Board

Environmental Justice Issue Right in our back yard

Which type of fish are more sensitive to nitrate-nitrogen? 1.Warm water fish 2.Cold water fish 3.All fish 4.None they can all handle it well

Fish and Brown Blood Disease Fresh water fish more than salt water fish – Cooler temps can reduce phytoplankton productivity – phytoplankton use the nitrate Affects many fish that are consumed Blood turns brown Presence of DO important.

For example, fish which moderately affected with nitrite poisoning in a pond with a DO level of 6.5 ppm should survive but, if the same fish is placed in a pond with a DO level of 3.0 ppm likely will not.

Nitrogen Cycle

Phosphorus Cycle

Eutrophication eutrophia—healthy, adequate nutrition, development in Greek Eutrophication is when there is an excess of nutrients and algal blooms occur – which create hypoxic conditions Can occur naturally Can be caused by humans

Phytoplankton/Algae Blooms Phytoplankton are photosynthetic organisms Autotrophs: use energy from sunlight to make their own food through photosynthesis. Two groups in the phytoplankton community: Microalgae and blue-green bacteria (called cyanobacteria)

Conditions Temperature, salinity and nutrients Natural vs. Anthropogenic Time Keeping blooms in check: Filter-feeding like oysters, scallops and sponges consume phytoplankton, while microscopic crustaceans like copepods graze on phytoplankton in the water column

Nitrate Levels The depth/temperature of the water will matter in relation to the amount of nitrate present Unpolluted waters less than 4.0 mg/L Nitrate Levels in Aquatic Systems mg/LTypical Range 1.1 – 3 mg/LGood 3.1 – 5 mg/LFair Over 5mg/LPoor

Phosphate Level Naturally water contains about a 0.02mg/L amt of Phosphate. Phosphate is a limiting factor. Know that if an algal bloom is present your phosphate levels may not be high in the water – the PO4 is already in the algae. Phosphate level in aquatic ecosystems mg/LConsidered normal/uncontaminated mg/Llevel at which plant growth is stimulated – eutrophication accelerates 0.1 mg/Lmaximum acceptable to avoid accelerated eutrophication > 0.1 mg/Laccelerated growth and consequent problems

Test kit Units = mg/L If phosphates is present a blue color will develop. Nitrates = red