Nitrogenous organic matter passes through several intermediate compounds during its natural decomposition, and that which does not gasify ultimately forms nitrate. Nitrogen in organic matter is determined by the Kjeldahl process.[13][14][58] An indication of the amount present is obtained by the albuminoid nitrogen determination.[14][15][67][106][107] It has not been found possible to differentiate the nitrogen in the organic matter that readily decomposes from that in stable or non-putrescible compounds. Decomposition of organic matter produces nitrogen combined in ammonia, which is the first step between nitrogenous organic matter and the completely mineralized nitrate. Ammonia nitrogen may be determined by distillation and Nesslerization or by direct Nesslerization of the clarified sample. The next step is oxidation to nitrite, and the final step, oxidation to nitrate. It is recommended that all forms of nitrogen be reported as the element nitrogen (N). AMMONIA NITROGEN. There are two methods for estimating ammonia nitrogen—distillation and direct Nesslerization. Distillation is recommended for most waters and direct Nesslerization is recommended for sewages, sewage effluents, and highly polluted surface waters. DETERMINATION BY DISTILLATION.[38][68b][111][121] _Procedure._—Use a metal or a glass flask connected with a condenser so that the distillate may drop from the condenser tube directly into a Nessler tube or a flask. Free the apparatus from ammonia by boiling distilled water in it until the distillate shows no trace of ammonia. After this has been done empty the distilling flask and measure into it 500 cc. of the sample, or a smaller portion diluted to 500 cc. with ammonia-free water. If the sample is acid or if the presence of urea is suspected add about 0.5 gram of sodium carbonate before distillation. Omit this if possible as it tends to increase “bumping.” Apply heat so that the distillation may proceed at the rate of not more than 10 cc. nor less than 6 cc. per minute. Collect the distillate in four Nessler tubes, 50 cc. to each tube, or if the nitrogen is high in a 200 cc. graduated flask. These receptacles contain the ammonia nitrogen to be measured as hereafter described. Use Nessler tubes of such diameter that the graduation mark is between 20 and 25 cm. above the bottom and of such uniformity of diameter that the distance from the bottom to the graduation mark of the longest tube shall not exceed that of the shortest tube by more than 6 mm. The tubes must be of clear white glass with polished bottoms. MEASUREMENT OF AMMONIA NITROGEN.