NITRATES: ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS

Although nitrates are essential plant nutrients, excess amounts may result in several water quality problems. When mixed together with phosphorus, excess amounts of nitrates can accelerate eutrophication, leading to intense increases in aquatic plant growth and alterations in the types of plants or animals living in the stream, therefore impacting the makeup of the ecosystem. Irrigation water containing fertilizers is a common culprit to the large amounts of nitrates running off into streams, as are wastewater treatment plants, and dairies.