We Cannot Live Without Malignant Air - The Biological Role of Nitrogen

The good mechanical properties have made it possible to use sialon ceramics in tools for machining of nickel alloys, notoriously hard to work. 

We Cannot Live Without Malignant Air - The Biolc cal Role oTNitrc n 

The nitrogen in the atmosphere is very inert, and the bond in N is characterized by a barrier of high activation energy. The nitrogen fixation in organisms necessary 

Ammonia and nitrates are taken up more easily and are preferred, if available, as for instance in fertilizers. 

Nitrates in drinking water can create problems for infants. On reduction of nitrate to organic compounds, toxic nitrite is formed as an intermediate ion. This can react with iron in hemoglobin and make it incapable of transporting oxygen in the blood. This is the so-called blue baby syndrome , and is a strong reason to restrict the nitrate content in drinking water. 

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