In order to know more about nitrate, we actually must understand what a polyatomic ion is. A polyatomic is an ion which consist of molecules, thus, it may also be referred as a molecular ion. Two or more atoms covalently bond or share electron pairs with each other to make up a polyatomic ion. Once they have bonded, they become considered as a whole single ion. Moreover, it is known to have a charge, most polyatomic ions have a negative charge but there is an exception with a positive charge. In this case, nitrate consists of one nitrogen atom along with three oxygen atoms which bond in order to become a single ion. Nitrate is an ion that also has a negative charge. Furthermore, the molecular mass of nitrate is 62.0049 grams per mole. Some
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To begin with, nitrates impact marine life dramatically. Due to the fact that many freshwater sources are nearby the land which have excess nitrate fertilizers, nitrate concentrations reach very high sufficient levels. As a result, nitrates cause increase in the growth of harmful algae, which brings dramatic changes to the ecosystem, damage the immune systems of animals, and cause tensions for many species. Therefore, much of the wildlife mortality occurs especially for fish. Relating to this, since nitrates contaminate aquatic life, this means that our drinking water is not as safe either. Much excess of it in our drinking water affects babies the most as they can get baby blue disease from intaking too much nitrate. Nitrates lead up to a disease causing a low oxygen carrying capacity of hemoglobin. Thus, when babies continuously drink it, they can possibly die. The main reason as to why is that baby's blood contains another form of hemoglobin called fetal hemoglobin. This type of hemoglobin can be altered to methemoglobin due to water with nitrates. Adults don’t have to worry too much about that as they are not sensitive to it either except for pregnant women which tend to have higher levels of methemoglobin. However, since there are high nitrate vegetable foods one can get exposure from that too, either way nitrate toxicity occurs inside the human. Moving on, connecting back to preserved foods, nitrates may have cancerous linkages. Eating cured meats from nitrates is the most dangerous way. The reason being is that after processed foods containing nitrate get converted into nitrite once ate. Nitrites act with different compounds within our stomachs which ends up creating N-Nitroso compounds. The main problem is that these N-nitros are carcinogenic according to many research studies. All in all, exposure from it can have various negative
To begin with, nitrates impact marine life dramatically. Due to the fact that many freshwater sources are nearby the land which have excess nitrate fertilizers, nitrate concentrations reach very high sufficient levels. As a result, nitrates cause increase in the growth of harmful algae, which brings dramatic changes to the ecosystem, damage the immune systems of animals, and cause tensions for many species. Therefore, much of the wildlife mortality occurs especially for fish. Relating to this, since nitrates contaminate aquatic life, this means that our drinking water is not as safe either. Much excess of it in our drinking water affects babies the most as they can get baby blue disease from intaking too much nitrate. Nitrates lead up to a disease causing a low oxygen carrying capacity of hemoglobin. Thus, when babies continuously drink it, they can possibly die. The main reason as to why is that baby's blood contains another form of hemoglobin called fetal hemoglobin. This type of hemoglobin can be altered to methemoglobin due to water with nitrates. Adults don’t have to worry too much about that as they are not sensitive to it either except for pregnant women which tend to have higher levels of methemoglobin. However, since there are high nitrate vegetable foods one can get exposure from that too, either way nitrate toxicity occurs inside the human. Moving on, connecting back to preserved foods, nitrates may have cancerous linkages. Eating cured meats from nitrates is the most dangerous way. The reason being is that after processed foods containing nitrate get converted into nitrite once ate. Nitrites act with different compounds within our stomachs which ends up creating N-Nitroso compounds. The main problem is that these N-nitros are carcinogenic according to many research studies. All in all, exposure from it can have various negative