The pollution of GroundWater With Nitrogen Fertilizers in Al-Mazraa/ Homs/ Syria

Abstract

This study was conducted in Al-Mazraa/ Homs/ Syria, which is an agricultural area with high population. Most farmers there use Nitrogen as a fertilizer, which leads to pollute the underground water with Nitrates, and consequently the wells which are used for drinking.   Data of water chemical tests for 10 years was gathered and analyzed, the research showed that using Nitrogen fertilizer is the responsible for underground water pollution. The results confirmed the importance of analyzing the soil before fertilizing and to define the Nitrate in it. The soil in the area is very permeable, as the Nitrate is a quick soluble, so it is not preferable to be used as a fertilizer and other fertilizers must be used. as a result, depending on new irrigation methods are preferable for fertilizing.The research recommends growing crops that do not need Nitrogen fertilizers to save the prevent the pollution of underground water.