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Nitrate Test Kits

Nitrate Test Kits

What is Nitrate?

Nitrate (NO3) is the most completely oxidized form of nitrogen and is a key component of the nitrogen cycle. Any salt containing the NO3 ion can be referred to as a nitrate. Nitrate is formed during the final stages of biological decomposition and is the primary source of nitrogen for plants. Nitrates are used in many industries, but the most common use is in agricultural fertilizers. Several million tons of nitrates are manufactured annually for this purpose.

Why Test for Nitrate?

Nitrate is a naturally occurring ion and can be found in surface water, groundwater and soil at low concentrations. However, a Maximum Contaminant Level of 10 ppm nitrate-nitrogen has been established for drinking water by the USEPA since consuming too much nitrate can affect the ability of blood to carry oxygen. Nitrate can also be dangerous for fish in high concentrations.

The largest contributor to nitrate contamination of surface and groundwater is fertilizer runoff. Most inorganic nitrates are water soluble. During rain events, fertilizer can run from fields and contaminate surrounding water sources with excess nitrate that can harm fish, cause algae blooms, and contaminate drinking water.

Since fertilizer is so widely used, it is very common for environmental groups to monitor nitrate in water bodies to assess the health of aquatic ecosystems. Wastewater and drinking water facilities also test for nitrate to stay within discharge limits and keep drinking water safe.

About Our Test Kits

CHEMetrics visual nitrate test kits feature CHEMets® self-filling ampoules that contain pre-measured reagent for a single test. After a simple reduction step, simply snap the ampoule directly in a sample to draw in the correct volume of sample, then compare to the supplied color standards to determine the concentration.

CHEMetrics also offers instrumental test kits featuring self-filling Vacu-vials® ampoule technology. The 13mm ampoules are compatible with most photometers or spectrophotometers.

CHEMetrics offers two different chemistries for the measurement of nitrate in water tests. The cadmium reduction method uses cadmium to reduce nitrate to nitrite, and the nitrite is then measured colorimetrically. This method can be used to analyze drinking and surface waters as well as domestic and industrial waste. The zinc reduction method uses zinc to reduce nitrate to nitrite. This method can be used with drinking and surface waters, industrial wastewater, and seawater.

Click on a catalog number in the tables below for more information or to purchase a nitrate testing kit.

Visual Kits

Range MDL Method Kit Catalog No. Refill Catalog No.
0-3.4 ppm as N 0.3 ppm Zinc Reduction K-6905 R-7002
0-4.5 ppm as N 0.4 ppm Cadmium Reduction K-6904 R-7002
0-45 ppm as N 4 ppm Cadmium Reduction K-6909D R-7002
0-225 ppm as N 20 ppm Cadmium Reduction K-6909A R-7002

Instrumental Kits

Range Method Kit Catalog No.
0-1.50 ppm as N Zinc Reduction K-6913
0-1.50 ppm as N Cadmium Reduction K-6903
0-7.50 ppm as N Cadmium Reduction K-6923
0-50.0 ppm as NO₃ Cadmium Reduction K-6933

Methods

The Cadmium Reduction Method

References: ASTM D 3867-09, Nitrate-Nitrite in Water, Test Method B. APHA Standard Methods, 23rd ed., Method 4500-NO3 E -2016. USEPA Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, Method 353.3 (1983).
Nitrate is reduced to nitrite using cadmium as the reducing agent. The resulting nitrite concentration is then determined colorimetrically. This method is applicable to drinking and surface waters, as well as domestic and industrial wastes. Nitrite will interfere with this test. Results are expressed as ppm (mg/L) NO3-N or NO3.
The Zinc Reduction Method

References: ASTM D 3867-09, Nitrate-Nitrite in Water, Test Method B. APHA Standard Methods, 23rd ed., Method 4500-NO3 E -2016. USEPA Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, Method 353.3 (1983). Nelson, J.L., Kurtz, L.T., and R.H. Bray, Rapid Determination of Nitrates and Nitrites. Anal. Chem., V26, p. 1081-1082, (1954).
Nitrate is reduced to nitrite using zinc as the reducing agent. The resulting nitrite concentration is then determined colorimetrically. This method is applicable to industrial wastewaters, drinking, and surface waters. These Nitrate in water test kits can also be used for the analysis of seawater. This method will measure nitrate in the presence of low levels of nitrite (by difference). Results are expressed as ppm (mg/L) NO3-N.