title: An exploration of nitrate concentrations in groundwater aquifers of central-west region of Bangladesh.
abstract: Groundwater and river water samples were collected from the study area to investigate the spatial distribution of nitrate (NO(3)(-)) in the central-west region of Bangladesh. The shallow and deep groundwater nitrate concentrations ranged from <0.10 to 75.12 and <0.10 to 40.78 mg/L, respectively. Major river water NO(3)(-) concentrations were ranged from 0.98 to 2.32 mg/L with an average of 1.8 mg/L. The average Cl(-)/NO(3)(-) ratio (4.9) of major river water has been considered as reference point to delineate denitrification processes. The alluvial fan, alluvial, deltaic and coastal deposits shallow groundwater having C1(-)/NO(3)(-) values less than that of the average river water value (4.9), suggested denitrification processes within the aquifers. On the other hand, denitrification processes are insignificant in the Pleistocene terraces area aquifers related to relatively higher concentrations of nitrate. Iron pyrite has been found as insignificant effect on denitrification.
authors.affiliation: Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Savar, GPO Box 3787, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Ratan K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Majumder
authors.forename: Mohammad A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hasnat
authors.forename: Shahadat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hossain
authors.forename: Keita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ikeue
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Machida
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D001459:Bangladesh; D002980:Climate; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D009566:Nitrates; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical