Nitrate-nitrite conversion mechanism and its impact in the groundwater of Siruvachur village, Perambalur district

Nitrate contamination in the groundwater is one of the major problems. In the last few decades, nitrate concentrations in groundwater have increased dramatically. Groundwater contamination by nitrate (NO3 -) is a global problem and is most often associated with leachates derived from fertilizers and animal or human wastes. The primary concern over nitrate in groundwater is the occurrence of a disease called methemoglobinemia in human infants who drink water containing the nitrate ion. Nitrate concentrations more than 50 mg/l are very harmful to infant, foetuses and people with health problems. Potential NO3 - source materials in the study area are animal manure N, synthetic NH4 based fertilizers. The study presented here was carried out at Siruvachur village and its surrounding villages in Perambalur district. In this area, eight groundwater samples were collected from four different villages between the month of December 2011 and March 2012. The various Physico-chemical parameters were analyzed and compared with the standard values given by WHO. Analysis of these samples revealed that they have nitrate concentrations more than the maximum permissible limit recommended by WHO, which is due to the use of nitrogeneous fertilizers and animal or human waste.

Author(s): A. Ravi Kumar, J. Maheswaran and S. M. Mazhar Nazeeb Khan

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