Nitrate contamination in groundwater of Sopore town and its environs, Kashmir, India

Abstract

An attempt has been made in this research work to evaluate the concentration of nitrate in groundwater and its management in Apple town and its environs. Groundwater pollution has been reported in many aquifers because of high concentration of nitrate in ground water, which is the result of excessive use of fertilizers to cropland. Systematic sampling was done, with a view to understand the source of nitrate concentration in the study area. Fifteen sample sites were selected and the samples were taken for a baseline study to understand the geochemistry of the study area and to assess its physicochemical characteristics. The water quality parameters were investigated for summer (May, 2007) and winter (December, 2007) seasons and were compared with the standard values given by ICMR / WHO. The hydrochemical data of 15 samples indicates that the concentration of almost all parameters fall within the permissible limits except nitrate. Linear Trend Analysis on seasonal and annual basis clearly depicted that nitrate pollution in the study area is increasing significantly. About 85% of samples during summer season and 67% of the samples during winter season were showing a high concentration of nitrate, exceeding permissible limit of WHO (50 mg/l), which is due to the use of nitrogenous fertilizers in the study area. Appropriate methods for improving the water quality and its management in the affected areas have been suggested.

Evaluation of Shallow Groundwater Contamination and Associated Human Health Risk in an Alluvial Plain Impacted by Agricultural and Industrial Activities, Mid-west China

“…This can be further approved by the distribution of NO 3 -. It is widely accepted that NO 3 -is an effective indicator of agricultural contamination (Alexakis et al 2012;Dar et al 2010;Suthar et al 2009). The concentration of NO 3 -(as N) is in the range of 0.55-186.70 mg/L with a mean of 20.21 mg/L.…”

Seasonally Variation of Nitrate Level Before and After Fertilizers Application in Ground Water of Sikar District (India)

“…Nitrate is very soluble and is the most usable form of nitrogen for plants. The plants absorb nitrate fertilizers through roots but compensation of nitrate is insignificant in the soil environment and excess nitrate is percolated into ground water 8,9,12,13 . However, increased uses of nitrogenous fertilizers have also led to increased nitrogen losses from agro ecosystems.…”

“…All the surface water bodies contaminated with nitrate may affect the aquatic biodiversity. The role of animal wastes (manure), sewage and synthetic fertilizers are studied by nitrogen isotope method 7,8 . Another potential source of nitrate leaching to the groundwater that deals with farming is the storage of the manure (animal wastes).…”

Spatial assessment of groundwater quality in Mamundiyar basin, Tamil Nadu, India

“…The hydrology and geochemistry of waters have been further discussed in the classic works of Stumm and Morgan (1981), Hem (1991), Drever (1988), Domenico and Schwartz (1990a, b), Imran Ahmad Dar et al (2009), Imran Ahmad Dar et al (2010a, b) and Mithas Ahmad Dar et al (2010c). Adverse conditions increase investment in irrigations and health and decrease agricultural production, which, in turn, reduce agrarian economy and retard improvement in living conditions of rural people.…”