| Ammonia-Nitrogen (NH3-N) (mg/l)
Ammonia-nitrogen is an inorganic, dissolved form of nitrogen that can be found in water and is the preferred form for algae and plant growth. Ammonia is the most reduced form of nitrogen and is found in water where dissolved oxygen is lacking. When dissolved oxygen is readily available, bacteria quickly oxidize ammonia to nitrate through a process known as nitrification. Other types of bacteria produce ammonia as they decompose dead plant and animal matter. Depending on temperature and pH (a measurement of “acidity”), high levels of ammonia can be toxic to aquatic life. High pH and warmer temperatures increase the toxicity of a given ammonia concentration. High ammonia concentrations can stimulate excessive aquatic production and indicate pollution. Important sources of ammonia to lakes and streams can include: fertilizers, human and animal wastes, and by-products from industrial manufacturing processes. Techniques to prevent high ammonia concentrations involve filtration of runoff water especially from barnyards and other areas where animals may be kept in larger numbers, proper septic system maintenance, and not over-fertilizing yards or fields. According to the Indiana Administrative Code, maximum (unionized) ammonia concentrations should range between 0 and 0.21 mg/l depending upon temperature and pH. |
