Nitrate:
According to a submission by Central Groundwater Board, over 20% of groundwater samples collected in Delhi in 2023 had nitrate levels exceeding the permissible limit of 45 mg/l.Nitrate is a compound of nitrogen and oxygen. It is naturally found in air, soil and water. Plants and animals require nitrates for their survival and growth, and the human body also produces this compound.It gets into water from fertilizer in runoff, manure from animal feeding operations and wastewater treatment plant discharge.Excessive nitrate in groundwater causes methemoglobinemia, reducing the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen, particularly affecting infants and vulnerable populations.Elevated nitrate levels in groundwater can lead to algal blooms in lakes and ponds, severely degrading aquatic ecosystems by depleting oxygen and harming biodiversity.
