engleski

Multidisciplinary approach to evaluate nitrogen behaviour in the alluvial aquifer of Varaždin area - Croatia

Nitrate is a compound of nitrogen that occurs naturally in moderate concentrations in many aquatic environments. Higher concentrations of nitrate in groundwater are typically caused by anthropogenic activities including nitrogen compounds from synthetic fertilizers and manure used in agriculture, septic systems and other waste waters. All over the world, high concentrations of nitrate are observed and can cause deterioration of groundwater and surface freshwater quality and that poses a serious problem for drinking water supplies and contributes to the process of eutrophication. An example of area with high nitrogen content in groundwater is the surrounding area of the town of Varaždin. This area is densely populated with industrial and extensive agricultural production. High concentrations of nitrate caused the shutting down of the pumping site ‘’Varaždin’’. The research area comprises the catchment area of the pumping sites ‘’Varaždin’’ and ‘’Vinokoščak’’. The aquifer of the research area is composed of gravel and sand with variable portions of silt as the result of accumulation processes of the Drava River. The covering layer of the aquifer is not continuously developed. Such conditions are favourable if they are considered from the aspect of aquifer recharge, but at the same time tiny covering layer composed of clay, silt and sand particles mixed with various content of organic matter, make the aquifer quite vulnerable. The previous research that has been conducted in the proposed study area dealing with nitrates was from hydrogeological or agricultural points of view. The systematic interdisciplinary research on fate and distribution of nitrate in the aquifer has never conducted before. The paper will present first results which are obtained during first sampling campanies.

alluvial aquifer ; nitrogen ; microorganisms ; chemistry ; Varaždinska County

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