Nitrites
What is it?
Nitrites (NO2) represent Nitrogen in a specific form during the nitrogen life-cycle. Nitrogen compounds dissolved in water are an important class of plant nutrients.
What do I need to know?
- Levels over 1 mg/L are considered dangerous
- It is natural to have some nitrites in water
- High levels could indicate runoff from nitrate fertilizers used in agriculture
- Nitrites versus nitrates is dependent on how much dissolved oxygen is there
- High levels causes extra plant growth, which then chokes out fish (because it causes lowered oxygen)
![Nitrogen cycle](https://cdn.waterrangers.ca/assets/helpers/nitrates-abec5acf7daa308904f47a7eee8d733224b98f2778177a01fde61b7ab78a1522.jpg)