I have always just considered the nitrates are part of a homogeneous mix. Homogeneous meaning: evenly sized and distributed in the entire water mix. A nitrate is a salt or ester of nitric acid so therefore I see no other way of considering it. I guess it can be best called a solute (dissolved substance). If you have a differing opinion I am willing to read and consider it. I have really never given it much thought.
Maybe you are confusing dissolved organic compounds with nitrates. Dissolved organic compounds can be at different levels in different spots in your tank. A lot of them are attracted to air so accumulate at the water air interface (waters surface). Dissolved organic compounds, as commonly defined in reefing chemistry, is chiefly the fish poop dissolved in water before it is converted by nitrification to ammonia, nitrites, then nitrates. People do seem to often just refer to them in the whole as just "nutrients." "Nutrients" can be defined in broad or narrow terms. It is a very abused term. When people speak of detritus they are usually referring to fish poop before it dissolves into the water. Or perhaps it would be better to say it is detritus before the poop breaks down in particles small enough to be readily carried in suspension in the water. That varies depending on the circulation levels etc. I circulate very heavily through nozzles on three sides of my display tanks and four sides of my grow out and frag tanks, so what would be detritus in an average tank would not be so in my tanks. Detritus accumulates heavier in areas of lower water circulation, IE. crevasses, cracks, corners, behind things etc..
Are you just yanking my chain, or is this a legitimate question?
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