As aquatic plants and animals die, bacteria break down large protein molecules containing nitrogen into ammonia. Ammonia is then oxidized by specialized bacteria to form nitrites and nitrates.
Sewage is the main source of ammonia added by humans to rivers.
The ammonia arises mostly from the hydrolysis of urea in urine, but additional ammonia is generated by the decomposition of other nitrogenous materials in sewage. In a flowing stream, the presence of ammonia in high concentrations indicates recent pollution. Sewage may be entering the water somewhere in the vicinity. Gloves and goggles Waste container Procedure Ammonia Put on gloves and goggles. Cap and mix.