Skip to main content

Advertisement

Springer Nature Link
Log in

Fate of phosphate and nitrate in waters of an intensive agricultural area in the dry zone of Sri Lanka

  • Article
  • Published:
Paddy and Water Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The chemistry of surface waters and groundwater draining agricultural catchments in the north-central and northwestern areas of Sri Lanka is described. Hydrochemical data from 296 water samples are used to evaluate water quality and to identify the processes that control nitrate and phosphate concentrations in the water. The results indicate that nutrient concentrations in the groundwaters are greater than those in the surface waters. Increased nutrient levels were observed in groundwater in a selected area in the fortnight following fertilizer application. Detailed geochemical investigations of selected groundwater samples reveal a gradual rise of nitrate–N and other solutes along the horizontal flow direction. Compared to the application rates of fertilizer in the area, the average nutrient concentrations in all waters are relatively low (1.5 mg/l nitrate and 0.5 mg/l phosphate) and stable. The results suggest that prevailing reducing conditions, iron-rich overburden soil cover and manmade canal networks control nutrient accumulation in the groundwater.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

References

  • Addiscott TM, Whitmore AP (2003) Simulation of solute leaching in soils of differing permeabilities. Nature 425:894–895. doi:10.1038/425894a

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Addiscott TM, Whitmore AP, Powlson DS (1991) Farming, fertilizers and the nitrate problem. CAB International, p 170

  • Angelo D’ LMD (2005) Phosphorus sorption capacity and exchange by soils from mitigated and late successional bottomland forest wetlands. Wetlands 25(2):297–305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Appelo CAJ, Postma D (1993) Geochemistry groundwater and pollution. A A Balkema, The Netherlands, pp 271–284

    Google Scholar 

  • Bawatharani T, Mowjood MIM, Dayawansa NDK, Kumaragamage D (2004) Nitrate leaching as a function of fertilization and irrigation practices in sandy regosols. Trop Agric Res 16:172–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Bohlke JK (2002) Groundwater recharge and agricultural contamination. Hydrol J 10:153–179

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cleneghan C (2003) Phosphorus regulations: national implementation report. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Wexford, Ireland

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooray PG (1995) Geology of Sri Lanka—an overview. In: Dahanayake K (ed) Handbook on geology and mineral resources of Sri Lanka. Souvenir publication, Colombo, pp 19–24

  • Diez JA, Caballero R, Roman R, Tarquis A, Cartagena MC, Vallejo A (2000) Integrated fertilizer and irrigation management to reduce nitrate leaching in Central Spain. J Environ Qual 29:1539–1547

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dissanayake CB (1988) Nitrates in the groundwater in Sri Lanka—implications for community health. J Geol Soc Sri Lanka 1:80–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Dissanayake CB (1989) Deep wells and rural development. J Geol Soc Sri Lanka 2:1–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Dissanayake CB, Weerasooriya SVR (1985) A geochemical classification of groundwater of Sri Lanka. J Natl Sci Con Sri Lanka 13:147–186

    Google Scholar 

  • Dissanayake CB, Weerasooriya SVR (1987) Medical geochemistry of nitrates and human cancer in Sri Lanka. Int J Environ Stud 30:145–156

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards CL, Shannon RD, Jarreu AR (1999) Sedimentation basin retention efficiencies for sediment nitrogen and phosphorus simulated agricultural runoff. Am Soc Agric Eng 42:403–409

    Google Scholar 

  • Fan AM, Steinberg VE (1996) Health implications of nitrate and nitrite in drinking water. An update on methemoglobinemia occurrence and reproductive and developmental toxicity. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 23:35–43

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gelberg KH, Church L, Casey G, London M, Roerig DS, Boyd J, Hill M (1999) Nitrate levels in drinking water in rural New York State. Environ Res Sect A 80:30–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gulis G, Czompolyova M, Cerhan JR (2002) An ecologic study of nitrate in municipal drinking water and cancer incidence in Trnava District, Slovakia. Environ Res Sect A 88:182–187

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gunatilake J, Gunatilake S (2004) Pollution of drinking water by application of nitrate fertilizers a case study from Kandy. Water professionals symposium, Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, pp 113–120

  • Herath MMJW (1998) Ceramic in Sri Lanka, 3rd edn. Ministry of environmental development, p 166

  • Hill AR (1996) Nitrate removal in stream riparian zones. J Environ Qual 25:743–755

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kite-Powell AC, Harding AK (2006) Nitrate contamination in Oregon well water: geologic variability and the public’s perception. J Am Water Resour Assoc. Paper No 04174, pp 975–987

  • Lamontagne S, Herczeg A, Leaney F, Dighton J, Pritchard J, Ullman W, Jiwan J (2001) Nitrogen attenuation by stream riparian zones: prospects for Australian landscapes. Presented at the Murray Darling Basin Commission Groundwater workshop, Victor Harbour, South Australia

  • Liyanage CE, Thabrew ML, Kuruppuarachchi DSP (2000) Nitrate pollution in groundwater of Kalpitiya: an evaluation of the content of Nitrates in the water and food items cultivated in the area. J Natl Sci Found Sri Lanka 28(2):101–112

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mansfeldt T (2004) Redox potential of bulk soil and soil solution concentration of nitrate manganese iron and sulfate in two gleysols. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 167:7–16

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nolan BT (1999) Nitrate behavior in groundwaters of the Southeastern United States. J Environ Qual 28(5):1518–1527

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rajakaruna RMP, Nandasena KA, Jayakody AN (2005) Quality of shallow groundwater in an intensively cultivated hilly catena in up country intermediate zone of Sri Lanka. In: Proceedings of the symposium of the water professionals, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

  • Rajasooriyar L, Mathavan V, Dharmagunawardhane HA, Nandakumar V (2002) Groundwater quality in the Valigamam region of the Jaffna Peninsula Sri Lanka Geological Society, vol 193. Special Publications, London, pp 181–197

  • Rao NS (2006) Nitrate pollution and its distribution in the groundwater of Srikakulam district Andhra Pradesh India. J Environ Geol 51:631–645

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Second interim report on Kala Oya Basin comprehensive plan (2002) River basin planning and management division Mahaweli authority of Sri Lanka

  • Silva De CS, Ayomi N (2004) Impact of intensive vegetable cultivation on agro-well water quality in Malsiripura region of Kurunegala district. Water professionals symposium, Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, pp 121–133

  • Spalding RF, Exner ME (1993) Occurrence of nitrate in groundwater—a review. J Environ Qual 22:392–402

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Spivakov BY, Maryutina TA, Muntau H (1999) Phosphorus speciation in water and sediments. Pure Appl Chem 71(11):2161–2176

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strebel O, Duynisveld WHM, Bottcher J (1989) Nitrate pollution of groundwater in Western Europe. Agric Ecosyst Environ 26:189–214

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thayalakumaran T, Charlesworth PB, Bristow KL, Van-Bemmelen RJ, Jaffres J (2004) Nitrate and ferrous iron concentrations in the lower Burdekin aquifers: assessing denitrification potential. In: 3rd Australian New Zealand soil conference, Sydney, 5–11 December 2004

  • Torbert HA, Potter KN, Hoffman DW, Gerik TJ, Richardson CW (1999) Surface residue and soil moisture affect fertilizer loss in simulated runoff on a heavy clay soil. Agron J 91:606–612

    Google Scholar 

  • Vidal M, Melgar J, Opez AL, Santoalla MC (2000) Spatial and temporal hydrochemical changes in groundwater under the contaminating effects of fertilizers and wastewater. J Environ Manag 60:215–225

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka for financial assistance through grant NSF/RG/2005/W&E/01, and thank Professor C. B. Dissanayake for his encouragement and guidance throughout this study. Our thanks also to our two reviewers for their helpful comments, and to Dr. B.P. Roser for editorial advice.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geoscience, Shimane University, 1060 Nishikawatsu, Matsue, 690-8504, Japan

    Sansfica M. Young

  2. Department of Geology, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

    A. Pitawala & Jagath Gunatilake

Authors
  1. Sansfica M. Young
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Pitawala
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jagath Gunatilake
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Pitawala.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Young, S.M., Pitawala, A. & Gunatilake, J. Fate of phosphate and nitrate in waters of an intensive agricultural area in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Paddy Water Environ 8, 71–79 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-009-0186-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-009-0186-6

Keywords