Role played by a natural channel on the quality of bordering environment: a chemical assessment.
Based on a rational and simple chemical approach, a field-investigation aimed to assess the role played by a natural channel "lama" on the quality of underlying groundwater and neighbouring soils has been carried out. The results have demonstrated that: (a) the stream flowing through the "lama" is mainly made up of treated effluent from a nearby municipal wastewater treatment plant; (b) the occurrence of nitrates in the "lama" is due to rain-washing of nitrogen fertilized agricultural soils bordering on the "lama"; (c) hydraulic connections exist between the lama and the underlying groundwater causing contaminants flowing through the "lama" to reach groundwater within less than one week; (d) compared with the values measured in the "lama", the concentrations of TOC, N-NH4 and N-NO3 in groundwater result: lower, far lower and greater, respectively; (e) agricultural soils bordering on the "lama" result significantly contaminated by halogenated organics.
Lopez
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A
Istituto di Ricerca Sulle Acque, C.N.R., via F. De Blasio, 5, 70123 Bari, Italy. an.lopez@area.ba.cnr.it
Vurro
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M
Maggiore
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M
D000383:Agriculture; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006219:Halogens / Q000032:analysis; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis; D011891:Rain; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014872:Water Movements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D006219:Halogens; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical