Petru Spataru
Ammonium
Abstract:
One of the logical reasons for the study of nitrogen is the toxicity of its various forms.
Their effect on the natural aquatic environment is very different and depends on the
amount and structure of organic radicals associated with amine nitrogen. The
difference of the effect of amines of natural origin (diethylamine – DEA) and synthetic
origin (1 -naphtylamine – 1 -NA, diphenylamine – DPA and cetyltrimethylammonium
– CTMA) on the processes of ammonia oxidation has been investigated. The
maximum allowable concentration (MAC) for synthetic amines and for natural origin
amines differs by almost two orders of magnitude. Both natural and synthetic amines
affect oxidation-reduction processes caused by the activity of bacterial enzymes, even
within MAC values. In the case of 1 -NA, the inhibitory effect is associated with a
toxic effect, whereas for DEA this effect is doubled (due to a toxic effect, as well as
from the amine-bound carbon). CTMA also has an impact on the inhibition of
processes. But in the presence of anionic surfactants (egg, lauryl sulfate-LS) in an
aqueous medium, the effect of CTMA is clearly reduced. Conversely, the presence of
CaCO3 particles reduces the ability of anionic organic substances to decrease the
effect of cationic ones. Typically, the amines, arising from the decomposition of
organic materials of natural origin, have less toxicity and lower MAC than those of
synthetic origin. It is important to note here that laboratory models are sensitive even
at concentrations below the MAC. Because of this, MAC can not be perceived as
absolute values and only meaning within certain limits.