Home-made Detection of Nitrates in Drinking Water: A Modification of Colorimetric Detection Methods

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Derrica Ferguson

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Tampa

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Katherine Alfredo

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Nitrates are common agricultural contaminants of drinking water. The ingestion of nitrates can cause a variety of issues, including methemoglobinemia and colorectal cancer. Those who have private sources of drinking water, such as a private well, and live in agricultural areas are more predisposed to experience this chemosocial environment. The maximum contaminant level (MCL) of nitrates in drinking water is 10 mg/L NO3-N. Therefore, these private individuals should monitor the nitrate contaminant level to ensure clean and healthy drinking water and take appropriate measures. A modification to industrial colorimetric detection methods was determined by replacing spectrophotometers with a mobile app, Color Grab®, that measures color values, such as CMYK values, which could be used as an indicator of nitrate concentration in drinking water. It was shown that Y% color values that surpassed 30% were indicative of drinking water samples that exceeded the MCL of nitrates. However, other mobile apps that measure color value should also be tested to determine their suitability within this modified method.

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Home-made Detection of Nitrates in Drinking Water: A Modification of Colorimetric Detection Methods

Nitrates are common agricultural contaminants of drinking water. The ingestion of nitrates can cause a variety of issues, including methemoglobinemia and colorectal cancer. Those who have private sources of drinking water, such as a private well, and live in agricultural areas are more predisposed to experience this chemosocial environment. The maximum contaminant level (MCL) of nitrates in drinking water is 10 mg/L NO3-N. Therefore, these private individuals should monitor the nitrate contaminant level to ensure clean and healthy drinking water and take appropriate measures. A modification to industrial colorimetric detection methods was determined by replacing spectrophotometers with a mobile app, Color Grab®, that measures color values, such as CMYK values, which could be used as an indicator of nitrate concentration in drinking water. It was shown that Y% color values that surpassed 30% were indicative of drinking water samples that exceeded the MCL of nitrates. However, other mobile apps that measure color value should also be tested to determine their suitability within this modified method.