Water crisis: Atishi writes to Chief Secy. over delay in ammonia treatment plant

Subject: Environment

Section: Pollution

Context:

Water Minister said the delay in setting up a plant to treat high ammonia content present in the Yamuna has impacted the drinking water supply in the capital.

About Ammonia Gas

Ammonia Gas or NH3 is a compound of Nitrogen and Hydrogen. It is a colourless gas with a pungent and penetrating odour. It is highly reactive and is a soluble alkaline gas.
Mode of Production: It can be produced both through natural means as well as anthropogenically.
- Natural: Produced in soil from bacterial processes. It is also produced naturally from decomposition of organic matter, including plants, animals and animal wastes. Bacteria found in the intestines can produce ammonia, also, a small amount of ammonia is generated when lightning strikes.
- Commercial: Through steam reforming of natural gas and coal gasification.

Uses:

It serves as a starting material for the production of many commercially important nitrogen compounds such as:
Fertilizers: Urea, (H2N)2C=O, is the most commonly used source of nitrogen for fertilisers worldwide. It can be applied directly into soil on farm fields for crops, lawns, and plants.
As household and industrial cleaners
In the form of ammonium salts, such as ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, and various ammonium phosphates.
In manufacturing commercial explosives
As a refrigerant and coolant

Ammonia Gas as a Pollutant:

Emission source: Agriculture, including animal husbandry because of NH3-based fertilizer applications. Other sources include industrial processes, vehicular emissions and volatilization from soils and oceans.

Effects:

It Increases the Biological Oxygen Demand of water by reducing oxygen availability for its aquatic life.
Source of nutrient pollution in water bodies leading to eutrophication due to excessive agricultural field runoff.
Excessive urea usage leads to soil acidification.
Prolonged exposure of containers to fire or heat may result in violent rupturing and rocketing.

Ammonia Gas as a Toxic Gas:

Direct toxic damage to leaves and alters the susceptibility of plants to frost, drought and pathogens (including insect pests and invasive species).
Long-term exposure to low concentrations or short-term exposure to high concentrations may result in adverse health conditions from inhalation, which manifest as burning nose, throat and respiratory tract irritation.