{"id":7396,"date":"2023-04-04T11:37:33","date_gmt":"2023-04-04T10:37:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aquaread.com\/blog\/?p=7396"},"modified":"2023-04-04T11:41:05","modified_gmt":"2023-04-04T10:41:05","slug":"effects-of-ammonia-in-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aquaread.com\/blog\/effects-of-ammonia-in-water\/","title":{"rendered":"Ammonia in Water & Its Effects on Aquatic Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

Like many inorganic (and organic) compounds, there\u2019s a fine balance to strike when it comes to tolerable environmental levels. Too much of one thing, and an entire ecosystem can be thrown off its axis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s the same with ammonia. If levels get too high in a body of water, aquatic life suffers. Let\u2019s take a look at what it is, where it comes from, and its impacts.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is ammonia?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ammonia<\/strong><\/span><\/a> is a compound made up of nitrogen and hydrogen, with the formula NH<\/span>3.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a colourless, pungent-smelling gas that dissolves in water to form ammonium hydroxide solution.<\/span><\/p>\n

In biological processes, it\u2019s often excreted as nitrogenous waste \u2013 by ammonotelic fish, for example, which excrete 50% of their nitrogenous waste as ammonia. The human body also produces ammonia when digesting protein and, similarly, treats it as a waste product and processes it via the liver.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ammonia also occurs naturally at low levels where organic waste (like manure and plant waste) breaks down.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s different from ammonium (NH<\/span>4<\/span>) in that it contains one nitrogen and three hydrogen, while ammonium contains one nitrogen and four hydrogen. Ammonium is also ionised and has no smell, but ammonia is known for its sharp odour.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where does ammonia in water come from?<\/span><\/h2>\n

As a byproduct of natural processes, ammonia is generally non-problematic. The issue occurs when it\u2019s found in high concentrations \u2013 and the culprits usually relate to commercial uses.<\/span><\/p>\n

The compound is used in:<\/span><\/p>\n