Measurement of ammonia NH3

Ammonia Determination

Ammonia is a mineral compound formed by the bonding of one nitrogen atom to three hydrogen atoms and its formula is NH₃. It is produced naturally from bacterial processes and the decomposition of organic matter. It may also enter groundwater and surface water through the discharge of ammonia-containing industrial process wastes and fertilizers.

Ammonia is used in many industrial processes, as well as as a fertilizer and refrigerant. Ammonia is characterized as a colorless gas or a pungent-smelling compressed liquid, and exposure occurs by inhalation, ingestion, or contact.

Uses of Ammonia:

About 80 percent of ammonia produced by industry is used in agriculture as a fertilizer. Ammonia is also used as a refrigerant, for water purification, and in the production of plastics, explosives, textiles, pesticides, dyes, and other chemicals.

Effects and side effects of ammonia on the human body:

Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in the air causes immediate irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract and can lead to blindness, lung damage, or death. Inhalation of lower concentrations can cause coughing and irritation of the nose and throat.

Effects of ammonia on plants:

Also, ammonium (NH4+) or uncharged ammonia (NH3) is a form of nitrogen that aquatic plants can absorb and incorporate into proteins, amino acids, and other molecules. High concentrations of ammonium can increase the growth of algae and aquatic plants. Bacteria can also convert high ammonium to nitrate (NO3–) in the process of nitrification, which reduces dissolved oxygen.

Relationship of ammonia to pH value

Unionized ammonia is toxic and predominates when the pH is high. The NH4+ ion is relatively nontoxic and predominates when the pH is low. In general, less than 10% of ammonia is toxic when the pH is below 8. This ratio increases dramatically as the pH increases. The balance between NH3 and NH4+ is also affected by temperature, and at any given pH, more toxic ammonia is present in warmer water than in colder water.

How do we measure ammonia?

There is a simple colorimetric method for determining ammonia in water at the ppm level, which is the indophenol blue color produced in an alkaline borate medium (a salt whose anion, like borax, contains boron and oxygen) using phenol and hypochlorite as reagents. The color intensity is compared using test tubes.

What is the standard amount for ammonia in drinking water?

Environmental limits for ammonia in surface water in the United States range from 25.0 to 32.5 mg/L (ppm). The National Academy of Sciences and many countries set a drinking water standard of 5.0 to 5.0 mg/L. have suggested milligrams per liter (ppm).

Neutralizing Ammonia in Water:

Ammonia is difficult to remove from water. It can be removed with a cation exchange resin in the form of hydrogen, which requires the use of acid as a reducing agent. Degasification (a process for removing dissolved gases from liquids stored in metal tanks or passing through pipelines) can also be effective.

Ammonia or ammonium ions present in water are deionized. Typically, the amount reported is the sum of both forms and is reported as total ammonia or more commonly “ammonia.” The relative ratio of the two forms present in water is strongly influenced by pH.

* The laboratories of Abrizan Industrial Research Company located in Fars Science and Technology Park are capable of measuring a variety of water parameters, including ammonia, with experienced staff and the use of advanced devices and equipment.