Groundwater is the main source of
drinking water for many small agricultural communities. Nitrate concentration
in groundwater is a major problem in Nira River basin area, which is mainly due
to the run off or seepage of chemical fertilizers from the agricultural field.
A total of 45 water samples were collected in the period of post-monsoon (POM)
winter and pre-monsoon (PRM) summer seasons from bore wells. The water samples
were analysed using standard methods of APHA suggested for analysis of nitrate.
Groundwater quality parameter varies spatially in different seasons. In the
present study, spatio-temporal variation in nitrate levels in bore wells of Baramati
Tahsil area is examined. The results of analysis showed that nitrate
concentration in POM and PRM was above the maximum permissible limit of WHO and
BIS recommended for drinking purpose. In POM 74% groundwater samples from canal
irrigated area and 11% from non-canal-irrigated area were above the standard
limit of WHO and BIS. In PRM 66.67% and 11% samples respectively from canal
irrigated and non-canal-irrigated area were above the maximum permissible limit
of WHO and BIS (45 mg/l). This indicates that peoples especially children using
the water from bore wells with higher concentration of nitrate than standard
limit, stands a high risk of methemoglobinemia (sometimes referred to as “Blue
baby syndrome”). In canal irrigated area concentration of nitrate was found
higher than the non-canal-irrigated area. This may due to the use of more
nitrogenous fertilizers by farmers in their farms, improper disposal of animal
and human wastes in canal irrigated area as compared with non-canal-irrigated
area. The groundwater of such bore wells was not suitable for drinking purpose
without treatment at the time of analysis. Nitrate containing groundwater is
more effective and useful for irrigation purpose. The nitrogen can be removed
from drinking water by using treatment such as ion exchange, biological
de-nitrification and reverse osmosis.
Author(s) Details
Prof. Dr. R. P. Dhok
Agricultural Development
Trust’s Shardabai Pawar Mahila College, Savitribai Phule Pune University,
Shardanagar, Baramati, India.
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