Ammonia

Ammonia is a compound composed of nitrogen and hydrogen (NH3) and can be present in water through various natural and human-related processes. It is produced through the decomposition of organic matter by bacteria, leading to the release of ammonia into the environment. Fish and other aquatic organisms excrete ammonia as a waste product which is part of the complex interactions within aquatic ecosystems. The use of ammonia-based fertilizers in agriculture can contribute to elevate ammonia levels in water bodies such as streams or rivers. Domestic and industrial waste water may contain ammonia as it is a byproduct of the decomposition of organic nitrogen compounds in waste itself. There a various forms of ammonia such as NH3 (Un-ionized Ammonia) which is the uncharged, gaseous form of ammonia, freely dissolving in water and is more toxic to aquatic organisms, and NH4+ (Ammonium Ion) which is when ammonia reacts with water to form ammonium ions, the balance between NH3 and NH4+ is influenced by factors such as pH and temperature.