Nitrates & Agriculture

The Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen is the most abundant element in our atmosphere and occurs naturally in various forms in air, soil, water and in all living things. Nitrogen gas forms around 79% of the air that we breathe. The most common forms of nitrogen in soil and water are as ammonium and nitrate. To find out more about the nitrogen cycle, click here.

Nitrates in the environment

The application of nutrients to land in the form of chemical fertilisers or manure is an essential part of modern farming practice, ensuring that food can be produced to meet consumer demands. Nitrogen is one of the key nutrients applied, and is taken up by plants as nitrate to enhance growth. Nitrate is, however, also highly soluble and the excess easily passes into the soil and on into groundwater as well as being carried directly to surface waters in run-off and field drains. To find out more about nitrates in the environment, click here.