Question:
I recently came across reference to the following new work on nitratesin drinking water. Does anyone have access to them and could give ashort abstract?

- French research by Marian Apfelbaum.

- Christian Buson, Institute de l'Environment.

The same source also mentioned that drinking water denitrificationresulted in elevated phosphate in water which may have more damagingecological effects than the nitrates that are removed.

Answer: My understanding is that high levels of nitrates in water drunk by humansis especially dangerous when consumed by infants.Their gut bacteria cannothandle the nitrates and produces toxic substances that kill them.

Phosphates in water promote the grwth of algae and other aquatic plantsthat can block sunlight and produce anoxic deep water. This is essentiallywhat destroyed the billion dollar scallop indurtry in Long Island Sound,and is a major problem with Chesapeak Bay.

I believe though that much of the phosphate in bays and estuaries comesfrom deposition from automobile emissions.

The best thing to do with nitrates is not to introduce it into groundwater through newer large volume septic systems and intensive applicationof agricultural fertilizers.

It seems like a difficult problem to define, let alone solve.