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A Methodology for Assessing Groundwater Pollution Hazard by Nitrates from Agricultural Sources: Application to the Gallocanta Groundwater Basin (Spain)

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  • José María Orellana-Macías

    (Departamento de Investigación en Recursos Geológicos, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, 50006 Zaragoza, Spain
    Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50006 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • María Jesús Perles Roselló

    (Departamento de Geografía, Universidad de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain)

  • Jesús Causapé

    (Departamento de Investigación en Recursos Geológicos, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, 50006 Zaragoza, Spain)

Abstract

Groundwater pollution by nitrates from agricultural sources is a common environmental issue. In order to support risk analysis, hazard maps are used to classify land uses according to their potential of pollution. The aim of this study is to propose a new hazard index based on nitrogen input and its connection with nitrate concentration in groundwater. The effectiveness of the Nitrogen Input Hazard Index was tested in the Gallocanta Groundwater Basin (Spain), a highly polluted area, declared as a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone. Agricultural data at a plot scale were used to estimate the nitrogen fertilizer requirement of each crop, and the correlation between nitrogen input and nitrate concentration in groundwater was explored. The resulting hazard map allows us to delimit the most hazardous areas, which can be used to implement more accurate nitrate pollution control programs. The index was proven to successfully estimate nitrogen input influence over groundwater nitrate concentration, and to be able to create hazard maps. The criterion used to create categories was empirically based on nitrate concentration thresholds established by the EU Nitrate Directive. The Nitrogen Input Hazard Index may be a useful tool to support risk analyses of agricultural activities in vulnerable areas, where nitrate pollution could endanger human water supply.

Suggested Citation

  • José María Orellana-Macías & María Jesús Perles Roselló & Jesús Causapé, 2021. "A Methodology for Assessing Groundwater Pollution Hazard by Nitrates from Agricultural Sources: Application to the Gallocanta Groundwater Basin (Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:6321-:d:567788
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiaosi Su & Huang Wang & Yuling Zhang, 2013. "Health Risk Assessment of Nitrate Contamination in Groundwater: A Case Study of an Agricultural Area in Northeast China," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 27(8), pages 3025-3034, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aleksandra Bawiec & Joanna Kajewska-Szkudlarek & Krzysztof Pulikowski & Katarzyna Pawęska, 2022. "Assessment of the Validity of Introducing Nitrate Vulnerable Zones in Large Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Zhen Zhao & Gongxi Liu & Guangxiong Qin & Huijuan Chen & Huizhu Chen & Wenxu Hu & Shaokang Yang & Jie Wang & Yuqing Zhang & Dongyang Zhao & Yu Liu & Yong Xiao, 2025. "Exploring the Hydrochemical Characteristics and Controlling Processes of Groundwater in Agricultural Lower Reaches of a Typical Arid Watershed on Tibetan Plateau," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-20, February.
    3. Radoslav Bujnovský & Štefan Koco & Roman Cibulka & Andrea Vranovská & Dana Vrablíková, 2022. "Nitrate Concentration in Leachate—Essential Information for Reducing Nitrogen Surplus and Groundwater Pollution from Agricultural Land in Slovakia," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-15, March.

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