Sodium nitrate is a helper and an enemy

Any of us is an expert in agriculture, and therefore we know everything that is connected with it. Everyone knows about nitrates, about their benefits and harm. But in fact, what is sodium nitrate?

The formula of this substance is NaNO3, its other name is sodium nitrate. In appearance it is a white crystalline substance, sometimes having a grayish or yellowish hue. It dissolves well in water. The taste is bitter-salty. In nature it occurs as a mineral - Chilean nitrate. Nitrate is hygroscopic, the melting point is 308 ° C, decomposition (boiling) is 380 °. A strong oxidizer emits oxygen at boiling.

Sodium nitrate is produced by synthesis from ammonia or nitrogen of air. There are other technologies for the preparation of nitrate, based on various reactions of interaction and decomposition. Types:

- A - for use in fluxes during soldering and welding of metals;

- B - for etching metals and clarifying alloys.

Store sodium nitrate in packaged form in multi-layered paper bags. Transport by any means other than air, during transport and unloading should not be mixed with organic substances in order to avoid fire.

As it is also called, sodium nitrate is widely used in various fields of industry and agriculture. In agriculture, it is used as a nitrogen fertilizer on all types of soils, for vegetable crops (potatoes, beets), fruit and berry plantations. Since nitrate is an alkaline type of fertilizer, use it better on acidic soils. As a fertilizer is introduced into the soil in the spring, you can use it as a fertilizer. Positive influence on plants is rendered not only by nitrogen, but also by sodium.

In industry, sodium nitrate is used as:

- component of a solution for pickling stainless pipes;

- part of the lubricant on rolling mills of stainless pipes;

- clarifier for cooking glass;

- oxidizer in rocket fuel;

- a component of salt refrigerants.

In the food industry, saltpeter is used as a preservative - Е251. There are mentions that already in 1397 nitrate was used to preserve fish. This is due to the effect of nitrites formed from nitrates on bacteria. Nitrate is used:

- when making cheeses;

- when preparing meat products. Nitrates under the influence of microorganisms turn into nitrites, which have a protective effect on the products, at the same time giving them an appropriate bright color.

Nitrates can also be used as a solution. Meat rubbed with a mixture of salt, saltpeter, sugar and placed under the yell. The resulting solution covers the meat.

As an oxidizer, nitrate is used in pyrotechnic formulations. In such formulations, its purpose is to provide oxygen to the combustion process.

Used in saltpeter and in medicine as a vasodilator. In addition, it removes intestinal spasms, serves as an antidote for cyanide poisoning and as a laxative.

At the same time, nitrate for mammals is considered a toxic substance. At a dose of 180 mg / kg of weight, half of the test rats die. When studying the E251, it was found that heating to a temperature above 120 ° C leads to the formation of carcinogens.

The studies conducted by the World Health Organization made it possible to determine the daily allowable dose for nitrates of 3.7 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. The following occurs - when nitrates appear in the large intestine, they turn into nitrites under the influence of microorganisms, and the latter, getting into the blood, turn hemoglobin into methemoglobin, which can not carry oxygen.

In the presented material, sodium nitrate is considered. What is it, where it is common in nature, how it turns out and where it is used in industry; Describes its effect on the human body.