Naslov
Impact of Agriculture Upon Groundwater Pollution in the City of Zagreb Water-Conservation Area

Autori
Petošić, Dragutin ; Husnjak, Stjepan ; Petošić, Biserka ; Mustać, Ivan

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u zbornicima skupova, cjeloviti rad (in extenso), znanstveni

Izvornik
Fifth International Scientific Conference on Water, Climate and Environement / Morell, Marc ; Popovska, Cvetanka ; Morell, Olivija - Skopje : Faculty of Civil Engineering (Sts Cyril and Metodius University - Skopje), 2012

Skup
5th Conference on water, climate and environment

Mjesto i datum
Ohrid, Sjeverna Makedonija, 28.05.2012. - 02.06.2012

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
agriculture; groundwater pollution; water conservation area

Sažetak
Soil and water are the most valuable natural resources of Croatia. These two natural resources are also most threatened by the spreading of pollution sources. Although problems of pollution of drinkingwater sources are still not alarming in Croatia, it should not be disregarded that several pumping sites on the left Sava bank were recently excluded from the municipal water supply of Zagreb because of water pollution. Administrative district of the City of Zagreb is part of the Central Croatia macro-region. It extends on an area of 64, 135 ha, or about 1.13 % of the total area of Croatia. There are considerable soil resources suitable for different types of agricultural production in the City of Zagreb district. A large part of these areas (ca. 8500 ha) lie directly above the aquifer from which the citizens are supplied with drinking water. Intensive agricultural production is considered to be a potential source of soil and groundwater pollution. Most common types of pollution are related to leaching of nitrates and pesticide residues. Inventory of agricultural land was made on the basis of a land utilization map prepared by photointerpretation of the orthophotomap 1:5000. Field crop and vegetable production prevails in the water-conservation area of Zagreb, with cereals as predominant crops. In dependence on the location, wheat or maize is the main crop grown. Part of field production is intended for animal husbandry (maize, barley, oats). Horticultural crops (vegetables, ornamental plants, planting material) are grown on 31 % to 56 % of areas. Statistics shows that fruit crops are produced on 12 % to 35 % of areas. Animal production is relatively small in water-conservation areas and is mainly intended for own household needs. Data obtained by a survey indicate that producers are rather ignorant as regards application of fertilizers and plant protection agents. Use of nitrogen fertilizers is greater than that of NPK fertilizers and the same holds for high once-only doses of nitrogen fertilizers in topdressing. Soil analyses are practically not used. Plant protection agents are mainly used for prevention. Analysis of the structure of agricultural production in the water-conservation area of the pumping sites studied shows that the risk of groundwater pollution with percolates from agricultural soils under the current utilization structure is objectively very small. Despite this fact, steps should be immediately undertaken in the water-conservation area of the City of Zagreb aimed at establishing an ecologically sustainable, but cost effective, agricultural production that excludes interventions hazardous to the environment. In doing this, the following pivotal determinants of such agriculture should be kept in mind: productivity, safety, protection, cost effectiveness and acceptability.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Poljoprivreda (agronomija)

POVEZANOST RADA