engleski

Nitrogen compounds in groundwaters of eastern Croatia

Groundwater are the main source of drinking water in Eastern Croatia. Shallow underground water sources (less than 5 meters) are prone to various contaminations caused by percolation of stormwater and usage of fertilizers, manure, wastewater treatment, food industry related activities, as well as percolation of septic tanks or improper discharge of sewage water. In this paper, the results of analysis of nitrogen compounds in groundwater of Eastern Croatia, are shown. Concentrations of nitrates, nitrites and ammonia are shown. High concentrations of ammonia can be related to fecal pollution of groundwater. Low concentrations of nitrite and ammonia ions in analyzed samples can be related to the fact that this compounds are relative unstable and are converted to other compounds.While nitrogen compounds in groundwater are present in non-toxic concentrations, high nitrite concentrations can lead to health problems in infants related to methemoglobinemia (reduced ability of hemoglobin to bind and carry oxygen in the body), which can cause death in extreme cases. This paper studies the concentrations of nitrogen compounds in raw groundwater used for public water supply of Eastern Croatia, and covers samples taken from 40 locations in 6 years period.

nitrogen ; groundwaters ; eastern Croatia

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