The adsorption of nitrate ions on gold and platinum electrodes in acid solution has been studied in acidic solution using in situ FTIRS. It is found that nitrate is adsorbed probably with a two-fold coordination on gold electrodes as suggested by the adsorbate potential-dependent spectral feature centered between 1440 and 1460 cm(-1). In addition, partial reduction of the nitrate ions at more negative potentials (ca. 0.05 V) generates nitrite ions in solution. These ions are co-adsorbed with nitrate ions in the double layer region of potentials. The nitrite ions seem to be adsorbed 0-down with a one-fold or two-fold coordination. Platinum electrodes are found to be much more active catalytically to nitrate reduction than gold electrodes. The reduction of nitrate ions at potentials below 0.8 V generates an adsorbed product presenting a potential-dependent band at 1540 to 1580 cm(-1), which has been identified as adsorbed NO.