Nutrient Testing

In the 1997 Clean Water Action Plan, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identified nutrients as a significant national problem contributing to water pollution. States reported that more than half of all lakes were affected. Just as applying fertilizer to gardens and farm fields helps crops grow, nutrients entering lakes and rivers feed the growth of algae, bacteria, and other tiny organisms. Water bodies require some nutrients to be healthy, but too much can be harmful. When lakes receive an overabundance of nutrients, they can become polluted by excessive amounts of algae. Die-off and decomposition of algae blooms can reduce dissolved oxygen and suffocate fish and other aquatic life. Some forms of algae (blue-green) may produce toxins that can be harmful if ingested by humans and animals. Therefore, testing of these nutrients, such as Nitrate, Nitrite, and Phosphate, are extremely important. 

Environmental Express offers tube chemistry test kits using traditional methods (i.e. cadmium reduction) to test for these nutrients. We also offer enzyme-based reduction test kits for Nitrate testing.