Rare nitrogen molecule could be key to better water quality testing

What happened

Scientists have found a new way to improve water-quality assessments using a rare form of nitrogen gas. In a new study co-authored by University College Dublin’s Dr Alan Seltzer, researchers have shown that a rare form of nitrogen gas can act as a natural fingerprint for microbial nitrogen conversion.

New study 'opens the door to a much more complete picture of the sources and fate of nitrogen in groundwater systems,' says UCD's Dr Alan Seltzer. INNOVATION Rare nitrogen molecule could be key to better water quality testing by Suhasini Srinivasaragavan 9 Oct 2026 Save article Dr Alan Seltzer testing water samples.

Nitrogen is a key to life on Earth, but only in right amounts. For example, high concentration of nitrogen in water bodies can ruin its quality and lead to the gradual deal of aquatic animals.

Tiny microbes living in water can remove nitrogen by converting it into a gas that escapes into the atmosphere. Though this is something researchers have often struggled to determine.

Seltzer is an assistant professor of hydrogeology and groundwater systems at the university. The paper was published in the journal Science yesterday (8 October).

Key facts

• Scientists have — found: a new way to improve water-quality assessments using a rare form of nitrogen gas