CHEMetrics Ammonia Test Kits

Low-level ammonia nitrogen may be naturally present in water as a result of the biological decay of plant and animal matter. Higher concentrations in surface waters can indicate contamination from waste treatment facilities, raw sewage, industrial effluents (particularly from petroleum refineries), or fertilizer runoff. Excessive ammonia concentrations are toxic to aquatic life.

The Direct Nesslerization Method

The ammonia test kit employs the well-established Nessler reagent* to determine ammonia concentrations are applicable to drinking water, clean surface water, good-quality nitrified wastewater effluent, and seawater.** In some waters, calcium and magnesium concentrations can cause cloudiness of the reagent.  Adding a few drops of stabilizer solution (Rochelle Salt) will prevent this cloudiness.  References recommend distilling samples prior to ammonia analysis. Results are expressed as ppm (mg/L) ammonia-nitrogen, NH3-N.

The Hydroxybenzyl Alcohol (HBA) Method

In the ammonia test method that employs the hydroxybenzyl alcohol chemistry, free ammonia reacts with hypochlorite to form monochloramine. Monochloramine reacts with HBA, in the presence of sodium nitro-ferricyanide, to form a green-colored complex.

This test method measures the sum of free ammonia and monochloramine. Results are expressed in ppm (mg/L) ammonia nitrogen, NH3-N. The HBA Method offers similar sensitivity to the Nesslerization Method and there is no generation of mercury-containing waste.

Vacu-Vials kits are instrumental kits that come in a cardboard box and contains everything needed to perform 30 tests (except distilled water): 30 ampules, Stabilizer Solution, Catalyzer Solution, Activator Solution, 25mL sample cup, 3mL syringe, ampoule blank, and instructions. These kits require the use of the V-3000 photometer or a spectrophotometer capable of accepting a 13mm diameter round cell (sold separately).

CHEMets Kits are visual kits that come in a plastic case and contains everything needed to perform 30 tests (except distilled water): 30 Ampule Refill, Comparator, Stabilizer Solution, Catalyzer Solution, Activator Solution, 25mL sample cup, 3mL syringe, and instructions.