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    what is a nitrate

    +1  Views: 609 Answers: 1 Posted: 11 years ago

    1 Answer

    Simply put >>>ni·trate
    /?n?tr?t/
    Noun
    A salt or ester of nitric acid, containing the anion NO3− or the group –NO3.
    Verb
    Treat (a substance) with nitric acid to introduce nitro groups.


    The Longer answer>>>>


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    Nitrate (NO3) is a compound that contains nitrogen and water.  Nitrogen comes from decomposing organic materials like manure, plants, and human wastes. Often the nitrogen (N) comes from ammonia (NH3) or ammonium (NH4).


    Basically, plants need nitrogen to make amino acids and proteins, which are essential for plant growth. Plants cannot use organic nitrogen directly. "Microorganisms in the soil convert the nitrogen locked up in crop residues, human and animal wastes or compost to ammonium (NH4). A specific group of microorganisms convert ammonium to nitrate (NO3)" <font size="2">58</font>.  Since nitrate is water-soluble, excess nitrate not used by plants can leach through the soil and into the groundwater.MORE HERE at this link >>>http://www.co.portage.wi.us/groundwater/undrstnd/no3.htm


     







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