EFFECT OF NITRATE CONTAMINATION IN GROUNDWATER- A WORLDWIDE CONCERN

Abstract

Nitrate is a prevalent groundwater and surface water contaminant that is a major contributor to global groundwater contamination. Due to nitrogen fertiliser runoff from urban lawns and agricultural fields, nitrate levels in streams and rivers can reach dangerous levels. Many plant species, including the majority of edible ones, require it for growth; but, if it gets into water where it is not needed, it creates a problem. Both a serious environmental issue and a health risk result from this. Foods are preserved with sodium nitrite, particularly meats that have been cured. Additionally, nitrate may occasionally be added to serve as a container for nitrite. Almost 80% of air we breathe is composed of nitrogen, which is a significant component of the earth's atmosphere. All nitrates are primarily produced by atmospheric nitrogen gas. In a process known as nitrogen fixation, some plants transform this into organic nitrogen. Nitrate, which is dissolved nitrogen, is the most common type of ground water pollution. Numerous chemical and biological processes, such as nitrification and denitrification, affect the amount of nitrate in ground water. This review focuses on the extent of nitrate contamination and its impact on human population worldwide.