Removal of nitrate from ground water by the reduction method.

Abstract

Under controlled conditions, nitrates may be reduced to nitrite and then to nitrogen when a sample is run through a column containing a reducing agent. These reducing agents might include magnesium, cadmium, zinc, and Devarda's alloy. A suitable catalyst might be used to increase the rate of reduction. The amount of reducing agent, the contact period for reduction, and the temperature at which reduction takes place were tested. The nitrates level in groundwater samples were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a reversed-phase column. A mobile phase concentrate for mixing with samples to be analyzed was prepared from 0.3 F KHzP04 + 0.075 F H3P04.