What does boiling water actually do to nitrates?

Boiling water has a specific impact on nitrates, which is important to understand in the context of water treatment and public health. When water containing nitrates is boiled, the process of boiling does not eliminate the nitrates. Instead, it causes the water to evaporate, which can lead to an increased concentration of nitrates in the remaining water.

In this context, the correct understanding is that as water vaporizes during boiling, the overall volume of water decreases while the amount of nitrate remains the same. This results in the concentration of nitrates in the water increasing as the volume decreases. Therefore, while boiling does not reduce the actual amount of nitrates present, the reduction in water volume means that the concentration of nitrates in the remaining water is higher.

This knowledge is critical for addressing water quality issues related to human health and environmental safety, as elevated nitrate levels can pose risks, particularly in drinking water supplies.