ES Lab Report †Nitrate

Background IntroductionThe presence of nitrogen is vital for all organisms as it is an element of protein. It is defer in the environment in various compositions and constantly changes from one to another as it goes through the Nitrogen cycle. process and nitrite atomic number 18 both compounds of nitrogen, which atomic number 18 erect in natural beginnings such as soil, pee, plants and food. These compounds are organize when microorganisms in the environment break down organic materials, such as plants, animal manure, and sewage. This is useful as roughly of nitrogen absorbed by plants is in the form of nitrate. However, since nitrate is highly leachable, it very right away moves with body of urine through the soil and in the event of high amounts of rainfall or excessive irrigation, this mickle permeate through the various soil layers and reach the groundwater sources. Nitrate can get into drinking water from runoff or seepage into ground water from farms, golf course s, home lawns, etc. In a well, nitrate may get into the water more easily if the well is poorly constructed.The presence of nitrate in water is extremely difficult to detect, as it does not have any color, odor and is tasteless. The most significant health hazard of the presence of nitrate in drinking water is when the nitrate present in the water is transformed to nitrite in the digestive system. This causes a condition called methemoglobinemia, which occurs due to the oxidation of hemoglobin to form methemoglobin. Methemoglobin does not have the same oxygen carrying ability of hemoglobin.Effects of nitrate in drinking water are as followsExcessive levels of nitrate in drinking water have caused serious disorder and sometimes death. When at that place is too much nitrate in freshwater or estuarine systems mop up to land, nitrate can reach high levels that can potentially cause the death of fish. Escalated potential risks of pubic louse from nitrate and nitrite in water and food are also reported.In this experiment, we are going to measure the level of nitrate or nitrite present in our water system by comparing tap water with grey water. Grey water is non-industrial wastewater generated from domestic processes such as washing dishes, laundry and bathing.Aim of ExperimentBy study the elements of nitrite or nitrate that our ground water has, we as a class can determine which residential areas have the most health-threatening water. The aim of this experiment is to raise awareness in high school students on health-threatening issues such as the potential risks of nitrate in water.HypothesisUnlike countries like Australia or Singapore, Indonesia is not commonly associated with lily-white tap water. In fact drinking tap water is not recommended nor practiced. Inspite of this common notion, there are very few health issues related to clean water in capital of Indonesia. The hypothesis put prior by this experiment is that the nitrate level in groundwater in ar eas around Jakarta would be minimal.Materials and EquipmentsGrey water, hit water, Nitrate-nitrite meter, Function graph, Calculator, Testing chemical.Independent Variable LocationDependent Variable Amount of nitrate/nitriteMethods Collect plentiful gray water and tap water from houses in different areas. Put the same volume of water from each source into different test tubes. Put the testing chemical inside each test tube to ratification nitrate/nitrite level. Measure each nitrate/nitrite level using meter. Compare result using a mathematical function graph. Use calculator to calculate final results. Interpret data.DiscussionAs seen from the results the level of nitrate found was minimal. The area around Lippo Karawaci and Sudirman has the biggest chance of having nitrate in their water. This being said does not mean there is 0% possibility that nitrate is present in other areas. This experiment is probably not as detailed as it should be therefore achieving zero results in most of the areas.EvaluationEven though the results show extremely minimal amounts of nitrate present in the water sources In Jakarta, one cannot draw permanent conclusions that it just to drink. Alternate sources of drinking water such as bottled water or spring water are always recommended, especially in the case of infants and pregnant women. Boiling of water is not a solution, as this only tends to increase the concentration of nitrate in water.The hypothesis states that the nitrate level around Jakarta and its surrounding suburban areas will be minimal. The experiment confirms the hypothesis. However, since the sample size was limited the reliability of the results is debatable.