NITRATES: BASICS

A nitrate is a polyatomic ion, with the chemical formula NO₃⁻. Salts that contain this ion are known as nitrates, which are chemical compounds composed of nitrogen and oxygen. Nitrates are commonly utilized in fertilizers and explosives. Oftentimes nitrates naturally occur, and can be found in food items, such as celery and leafy greens, but they can have anthropogenic sources. Nitrates can be found in water, from agricultural runoff, dairy lagoons, and liquid waste discharged from septic tanks, effectively contaminating the water, which can be dangerous if consumed in high concentrations.