Tennessee Wastewater Operator Practice Exam

What substance is nitrate converted to when mixed with cadmium during analysis?

1. Nitrite

2. Nitrogen

3. Nitric Acid

4. Ammonia

The correct answer is: Nitrite

In the context of nitrate analysis, when nitrate interacts with cadmium, it undergoes a reduction reaction. During this process, the nitrate ion (NO3-) is converted to nitrite ion (NO2-) through the action of cadmium as a reducing agent. This is a specific analytical procedure often utilized in laboratory settings to determine the concentration of nitrates in water samples. The transition from nitrate to nitrite is significant in environmental science and wastewater management because it highlights the measurement of nitrogen species in aquatic ecosystems. At times, this conversion is essential to accurately assess nutrient levels since nitrites can impact ecological health and water quality. Therefore, identifying nitrite as the product of nitrates reacting with cadmium emphasizes the importance of understanding chemical transformations in wastewater treatment processes.